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Alexandre Bonnet
Artist Statement: Gallery
Spring 2015
As an artist I decided to use these perfect forms because they are everywhere and whether
intended or not they subconsciously negate other identities and cultures. I attempted to use my
own hand modeled clay forms at first, but found the images were not working because these
figures were seen as unique beings while the manufactured mannequins have an entire history of
being used for their generic ideal form. I used various materials not natural to the human body to
evoke a response from the viewer to reexamine the use of these bodies to represent all peoples.
Thus demonstrating the unconscious bondage the average person is unaware of when confronted
with the daily presentation of these body images. My aim is to confront the viewers expectations
of the ideal body type, as well as, the sex and gender identity issues using materials that
represent a web or barbed wire that binds us in an unnatural way to these so called perfect forms
of female and male bodies.
Because these figures are plastic mannequins used in marketing to show off clothing and
accessories, as an artist I can use their historic presence as the reference for this beauty trap. I
changed their appearances by applying hard rock, a material most commonly used in homes and
on wood to do repair work. This material was used to build up and vary these so called perfect
bodies in order for the viewer to engage in the idea of what is beauty. I used the hard rock putty
to stucco the surface, creating a sharp pointed surface on the mannequins. Other materials such
as hemp and paint were used to create a realistic but faked barbed wire that traps the mannequin
thus trapping the viewer into rethinking the images these bodies represent.
My body of work first started off with a personal matter of my own, my artwork expressing and
crying out for attention towards depression and how society today should look at it because it is
heavily ignored and looked down upon. I intended to push and pull at the human body, changing
its form to fit my first concept, but as I worked with the clay figures I realized that something
deeper lay below my dissatisfaction with my own body and my depression. It was that moment
when I realized how society had defined who I should be. Thus, I moved on from exploring the
cause of depression and toward how gender and sexuality are coupled with the preconceived
notion of what it means to be beautiful in the modern society. It is such an important topic with
my generation. My inspiration soon consisted of what news, images, journals, and videos that I
found on the internet circling around this social justice issue. Representation is important in
todays society and I think about this idea every day whether it is through art or people. Calling
attention to the pain and struggle surrounding issues of identity to those who may not notice how
they are being manipulated is something we should strive to confront.
Alexandre Bonnet
Artist Statement: Gallery
Spring 2015
Here is an example of what I am discussing. This woman, her size, and color is not found in any
of the mannequins she stands in front of waiting to be used to represent the beautiful norm in
order to sell the products. Her body shape and facial structure is nowhere to be seen in this
lineup. Even the darkest skin mannequin directly behind her is pale in comparison to her skin
tone. Her body shape is not represented nor her facial structure. One becomes sure that one does
not exist if this is your mirror.