The early 1780s produced a medical coaching device that at present appears unusually macabre and unsettling: the Anatomical Venus. A waxen mannequin with actual human hair and strings of pearls round her neck, the reclined determine appeared extremely practical, though pulling again the plate on its stomach or chest revealed a collection of inner organs and techniques.
As Ian Shank writes, trendy viewers see the Anatomical Venus as discordant given the stress between the determine’s idealized magnificence—and its inherent sensuality—and its perform as an academic mannequin.
Jessica Stoller takes this dissonance as a place to begin in “Seeing Red,” a floor-based sculpture of greater than 150 particular person ceramic objects. Atop the sq. tableaux are outsized white orbs that overshadow the mottled pink base. Fragmented physique elements, seashells, leaves, a bent coat hanger, snakes, pottery shards, and extra unfold all through.
Reflecting on the continued push to strip protections for bodily autonomy within the U.S., “Seeing Red” separates the feminine kind into distinctive elements and locations them on the lowest place doable. Because the oppressive pearls loom over the remainder of the parts, the unnerving work immediately challenges who has a proper to self-determination and management over their physique.
The grotesque and disturbing play an essential function all through Stoller’s apply as she often incorporates human anatomy with porcelain and ceramic traditions. “Untitled (close up #3),” for instance, options delicate pink and purple blossoms that body what seems to be a collection of huge, purple bruises.
Equally, “Untitled (sugar still life)” contains a candy unfold that stretches throughout an elaborate show. Tucked within the seemingly saccharine work, although, are unsavory components like a skeletal hand reaching from piped ribbons and medical units stabbed into varied confections.
Rebelling towards patriarchal priorities, Stoller frequently confronts romanticized notions of the physique by way of surreal, even monstrous compositions. As an alternative, her works are daring and unabashed as they study the female determine, rooting out stereotypes and historic injustices whereas emphasizing the efficiency of the unseemly.
Lots of the works proven listed here are on view in New York for Stoller’s solo present Break up, which continues by way of April 5 at P·P·O·W. Discover extra from the artist on Instagram.
