Sagging Flesh

by Ky Smith

“By way of photography, printmaking, and collage, my body of work investigates themes of identity and gender, often with elements of satire. This piece aims to explore my identity and body as a queer and transgender person, commenting on the social constructions of binary gender, heteronormativity, and the common notion that bodies should look a certain, “appealing” way. When photographing the body, I enjoy stylizing and distorting it, treating the form and flesh as a sculptural material. For this piece, I intended for the body of my subject to appear peculiar and disconcerting, positioned in a manner atypical for portraits, with deep contrast and shadows further accentuating the malleability of said form and flesh. This photograph is part of a larger exploration of the innately beautiful and captivating, yet unsettling and even grotesque nature of the human body.”