Touch Assignment

 

"Oni", Charcoal, 9" x 12"

Quote: "Ultimately, tattoos make unique the surface of one's self, embodies one's secret dreams, adorn with magic emblems the Altamira of the flesh." - A Natural History of the Senses, Diane Ackerman

Statement: Tattooing is undoubtedly one of the most interesting and ancients forms of skin-deforming arts. The art of tattooing grew fast in popularity in the underworld of Japan and is seen as a form of self-expression. The Japanese tattoo is called "irezumi" and in this piece, I attempted to recreate a popular tattoo, the Oni mask. This is a supernatural ogre and represents a symbol of protection for those who believe in the spiritual world. Ultimentiamely the ancient art of tattooing is best described by a quote from Sandi Fellman, "beauty created through brutal means," "power bestowed at the price of submission," "the glorification of flesh as a means to spirituality."

Seeing In The Dark, Sharpie, 9" x 12"

Quote: "What is a sense of one's self? To a large extent, it has to do with touch, how we feel." - A Natural History of the Senses, Diane Ackerman

Statement: Although we may see with our eyes we also use our sense of touch to navigate our surroundings. Touch teaches us that our world is three dimensional and it gives depth and contour to life. This is what I attempted to portray in my drawing, with an engulfing negative space and using our sense of touch to see. The way we touch is more or less the way we interact and express ourselves, from greetings to showing love. My drawing represents that even in the darkest times we can still navigate through life.