Post 5

"The idea of feminine and grotesque in the negative sense existing as a combined term encourages us to despise biological truths regarding physical progress into womanhood which includes pubic hair, stains, menstrual blood, secretions, and other pungent qualities."

Doreen Garner, is a Brooklyn Based artist born in Philadelphia, PA. She is an experimental artist bringing an alternative perspective to the "gaze". Her grotesque artwork intends to confuse the viewer, and ultimately making them the subject as opposed to the artwork itself. Garner returns the same gaze that was once set upon her sister who suffered from a stroke that physically altered her appearance. She became more conscious of the physicality of the body and through her artwork returns the unwanted gaze that is imposed on women bodies. Garner is aware of how her artwork is sexually perceive and purposely creates grotesque experimental pieces as a form of vengeance to make the viewer uncomfortable. Aside from her artwork being a form of vengeance to express her pain and personal hardship, Garner's perspective is powerful and rich. She uses materials such as bamboo earrings, weave and vaseline to associate to her race. Ultimately, she is representing black women who receives the unwanted looks of those opposite from her as well as fighting the negative associations on women bodies such as pubic hair, stains and menstrual blood.

Performance inside glass box filled with stuffed condoms and hair slathered with
petroleum jelly and glitter, 2014

Onika - Glass, Teeth, Swarovski Crystals, Hair Weave,
Polyester Fiber, Petroleum Jelly 2014

Garner's art pieces are definitely experimental, 
and she produces experiemental videos online too! When she physically creates her work, there is a high percentage of chance involved. However, she does conceptually plan out her ideas. In She/Folk, she says her practice circulates around "judgement", and "how we judge what is beautiful, acceptable, repulsive, desirable, normal, abnormal?" Not only does she pass the Bechdel test by using a mixture of sexuality and grotesque, she raises a question on society's perception of the female body. Why does society shy us away from exposing our bodies? Why must there be an uncomfortable judgmental gaze? Her artwork not only reflects the perceptions of gender, but delves into sexuality and race. Her work has been featured in art galleries across New York City as well as Philadelphia as well as various publications such as the Huffington Post. 

Applique from Doreen Garner on Vimeo.

Citation:

http://www.doreengarner.com

http://www.shefolk.com/creatorinterviewsrss/2015/7/8/interview-with-doreen-garner