Safe from Harm
In this piece I wanted to explore the idea of safety and protecting what one loves. Or rather, the over-protection of what one loves, particularly children. It’s natural to want to keep safe that which is precious to us, and yet it’s too easy to take this to an extreme, to the point where society tells us we need to protect children from all germs, allergens, sexual references and anything that may possibly harm them in any way. I used a second-hand stuffed toy, embroidered with the words “safe from harm,” as a metaphor for a child. With a surgical mask over its face to protect it from sickness, and placed in an acrylic case complete with bubble-wrap lining, the cow toy seems protected from any sort of mishap that could happen to it. And yet within the protective case it cannot do anything, cannot play, cannot live. It is cut off and isolated in its safety, unable to touch or be touched, or do anything that would help it learn to survive the dangers in the real, dirty world.
I've also finished the second version of the hairy "man-dress" that I was working on, and have started on a third. A wonderful friend of mine has agreed to model for me this Sunday in what shall certainly be an interesting photo shoot. *laughs*
