Painted Lady

This artwork featured in The Precious Clay (2019).

Harrison’s works more often than not represent women, however, the work is less about body politics and more about the formal, conceptual readings of the skin. In this series of Painted Ladies, Harrison scrutinises perceptions of beauty and gender identity; juxtaposing an insipid femininity with the rebellious individuality associated with early tattoo culture.

The mass produced, homogenous ladies are offered a distinctive new lease of life. Each tattoo is symbolic to the artist and their designs reference templates used at The Black Eye Barber Shop, an early 20th century tattoo parlour in the Bowery, New York.

Image: Jessica Harrison, Painted Lady 14. Found ceramic, enamel paint. Courtesy the artist (and University of Edinburgh). Photograph: Chris Park.

 

About the artist

Jessica Harrison

Jessica Harrison exhibited in The Precious Clay, Museum of Royal Worcester, 2019.

Image: Jessica Harrison, Painted Lady 14. Found ceramic, enamel paint. Courtesy the artist (and University of Edinburgh). Photograph: Chris Park.