The pictures don't do this justice!

The details you are missing from these pictures are the writings, without which the emotional connection is lessened, if not lost.  Below is the artist statement on display at the gallery:

When we study the body, we study the physical body, the actual parts of the body.  Anatomy books go in depth with details of how are bodies are made up.  I see our bodies are landscapes mapping out our emotional scars or wounds. “Being in a Body” came to be after searching through old sketchbooks and journals.  This was a repetitive process.  Initially it turned into a walk down memory lane.  Many ideas came to mind; perhaps too many, as my mind became jumbled and I couldn’t settle on just one.  Each idea would evolve and change into another. Some time had passed and I went back through these sources seeking focus and inspiration.   This discovery revealed a common thread between my current state of art making and the journals from my undergraduate days:  emotional connections to the physical body while incorporating text. 

The idea of fragmenting the landscape of our bodies allows me to control what the viewer sees, what emotions I am sharing.  Each fragment represents a different emotion and allows for me to share a little bit at a time.

I found the idea of suspending this work in space fitting in order to bring life to the work.  By having it suspended, it is able to breath and move as if it were kinetic skin.  The importance of breath and movement is critical to this work to exist.  Many of the emotions or memories have been held in so long, as if I have been holding my breath.  The movement and spacing serves as a reminder to breath: Inhale.  Exhale.

The design of the environment that I chose is a modified three circuit classical labyrinth.  Labyrinths are used as tools of spirituality and understanding.  Historically, labyrinths are used to help heal through balance, empowerment, transformative, and most importantly, calming the mind and body.  The three circuit classical pattern has winding paths and creates a journey towards emotional healing.  Like a river, or the blood in our veins, it travels with the natural flow of life.  One may question their own emotions on this journey; it may bring connections to each piece for the viewer.  It is also possible that the viewer will find a connection not only to the work, but to me, the artist, or even each other through experiencing this together.