unfinished
'unfinished' is not, as the title might suggest, a work in progress but rather represents a work in progress. 'unfinished' developed from an exploration of labels, from those we assume as our preferred credentials and those imposed upon us by others, to the more specific categories of taboo words and stigmatizing labels. These are placed upon us as adults in society either willingly, unwillingly, knowingly or unknowingly and have a particular power. When placed upon a baby or child, as represented in this installation, that power is however multiplied exponentially. Invoking a sense of protection and a questioning of our carefree and careless use of language the badges, create a particular tension pinned incongruously on the innocence of childhood. Appearing in direct contradiction to the parental expectations normally applied to infants 'unfinished' has an ominous liminal quality - a sense of the multitude of adults this child, living in our consumerist and over stimulated society, could be pressured, channeled or manipulated into being labelled. |