FLEXED
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$12.40
$12.40
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The commodification of imagery is insidiously commonplace in contemporary society. Flexed, a pseudo-art object exists to exemplify this state of commodification and appropriation in multiple ways. It is sourced from the work of Jenny Saville. The conceptual thrust of image appropriation is paralleled in the appropriation of art itself. This relationship also dialogues with the appropriation of the female image, specifically the self-portrait, because the heritage of art is one of wresting the feminine image from its owner. Flexed works with the assertion that in a media driven age, a path towards reclamation of the female image has been hampered by the ease of image misuse. The materials, based specifically around technology, elevate how technology has changed the speed at which an image can be appropriated and therefore perpetuated the devaluation of imagery. Yet, the hand worked nature of the piece slows down the intended appropriation, re-asserting it into the realm of art or indeed craft. The craft nature of the work speaks to the boundaries between craft object and non. It’s positioning in a “gallery” setting seeks to elevate it to the status of art object. Once removed from that space and installed in its final location, the object loses its art status and returns to one of utilitarian. The resulting piece is therefore in a state of flux, existing as art object and not, appropriating imagery and, in its own right, existing as a unique entity from the sourced imagery.