Carolee Schneemann

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Eye Body c. 1963

       Eye body, is a portfolio consisting of 36 photographs in which the artist, Carolee Schneeman,  envelops herself in an artificial environment created with a plethora of objects such as plastic tarps, mannequins, and broken mirrors. She covered herself in a myriad of materials to become one with the art. Viewing herself as a piece of art, she applied grease, chalk, and plastic to her nude body.  Through these applications she created 36 “transformative actions” as a colleague photographed each action singularly, representing a frame of film. This was her integration as the artist’s self image and image creator, combining through an impromptu collage in space and time. The portfolio was initially met with negativity as curators deemed it “narcissistic exhibitionism". However, Schneemann interpreted these photographs as a proclamation of her strength and the sexuality of women. 


Three Figures After Pontormo c. 1957

       Three Figures After Pontormo, is an oil on canvas abstract expressionist inspired painting referring to the mannerist painter Jacopo da Pontormo, who is known for his complex, gestured figures. Regardless of the paintings abstract form, it is not completely void of non-objective components, such as the centralized nude male figure with his back postured towards the viewer. Also, there is a less recognizable figure on the left of the canvas which evokes the action painting and gestural brushwork of the abstract expressionist style. 

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