Yelena Myshko
Yelena Myshko (1985, Kyiv) is an independent artist, researcher and activist based in the Netherlands. In her artist practice she explores identity politics through theoretic, ethnographic and participatory research methodologies to find and extrapolate existential tension points within the historical and contemporary socio-cultural environment. Her intellectual approach is critical, self reflexive, and leans toward feminist critique. She creates multidisciplinary artworks that investigate the (de)construction of (gendered) identity.
Work Description:
We are all born naked. We are all born free. Yet the female body is governed by law and social norms. From a young age girls are encouraged to be desirable for the opposite sex. Therefore fashion is an obvious obsession of most women. As our second skin – our tool to manage sex appeal – fashion has the power to empower or suppress the individual. Fashion is the burka. Fashion is the miniskirt. The rules are dictated by patterns that change each season. Patterns that for centuries have been dictated by men. Patterns that can be copied and changed to suit the individuals need. The choice makes the difference; conform or rebel.
We are all born naked. We are all born free. Yet the female body is governed by law and social norms. From a young age girls are encouraged to be desirable for the opposite sex. Therefore fashion is an obvious obsession of most women. As our second skin – our tool to manage sex appeal – fashion has the power to empower or suppress the individual. Fashion is the burka. Fashion is the miniskirt. The rules are dictated by patterns that change each season. Patterns that for centuries have been dictated by men. Patterns that can be copied and changed to suit the individuals need. The choice makes the difference; conform or rebel.
Material: vintage pattern paper and white sewing thread on naked body.