Drawing Restraint 7 1993

This image, ‘Drawing Restraint 7’ by Matthew Barney, is a photograph, and with its stark monochrome palette, the piece feels like a relic from another time. It’s all about process—two figures locked in this bizarre, intense struggle, pushing against constraints that are both physical and, like, totally psychological. Look at the texture of their skin, the way the light catches the ridges and folds. It’s visceral, almost sculptural. The contrast between light and shadow creates a sense of depth that pulls you right into the drama. And the way they’re wrestling with that pipe between their heads is just wild. Barney's work often grapples with themes of limitation and creativity, and reminds me of Carolee Schneemann, who also used her own body to explore boundaries. Ultimately, it's about how we push against the things that hold us back, and the strange beauty that can come from that struggle.