Memoirs in Sink or Float: Heather K. Wilson-Miller

Monday, March 18, 2013

Selected Works 2010-2013

Southern Belle

2010

11”x6”x3”

Raku Ceramic

Dismorofice Intentionality

2010

18”x24” each, 27’X6’ installed

Silicone, Photo Documentation

Standard Gold Displacement

2010

Installed 18’x 8’

Photograph, video, urethane rubber, wood

The HyMEN of Your Dreams

2011

64”x36”

Photograph

Feminism is my Leader/ Feminism is my Retainer

2011

Diptych, 64”x36”each

Photographic Documentation

To Gold

2011

Varied Dimensions

Multi-channel Video Still

2011

Forever,er,er,er,er…

Varied Dimensions

Video Still

Success

2011

Varied Dimensions

Photographic Documentation of Performance, Video Still

Do You Love Me More Now?

2012

Diptych, 18"x34" each

Photographic Documentation

For His Pleasure

2012

24"x36"

Photographic Collage

Installation View

All Pomp and No Circumstance

2013

7'x4'

Wood, Lights, Taxidermy Deer

A Piece of Tail

2013

18"x24"

Wax, Deer Tail

Trophy Fashion

2013

11"x 18"

Plate Rubbings and Graphite Drawing

Artist's Statement

Heather K. Wilson-Miller Artist Statement

“Using femininity as an economic tool is a means of exposing its constructedness and reconfiguring its meanings.”- Eva Pendleton

My work explores objectification as a means of empowerment. I challenge assumptions and stereotypes that were initially attached to feminism by deliberately objectifying myself in opposition to the constructs of the gaze. I dispute the idealized feminine concepts that tell me I should internalize the gaze or repress my actions for the sake of femininity.

I use my body as bait to draw the viewer into my work. I create objects that disfigure, alter, encircle and transform the body in order to counteract the gaze. The act of wearing these sculptures is both retaliatory and celebratory. I take control of the gaze. I meticulously control every aspect of my work; itʼs interaction with the body, the lighting and composition in the documentation down to minutia, using only myself so as to control every portion. I relinquish the objectifying party the pleasure of just looking at the body; I create a dichotomy of pleasure and disgust in which the viewer has to decide which is preferred.

Objectification is human nature; we size each other up on a subconscious level constantly as an internal power struggle to get ahead. Therefore, I use objectification to my own benefit. I aim to change the perception of objectification. I recognize that objectification tends to spawn a form of narcissism in which, in turn, creates social Darwinism. In studies, women who have been objectified tend to think like the objectifier internally, (constant awareness of body language, clothing, appearance etc.) therefore setting a preemptive strike against any objectification. This over emphasis on self-awareness then can lead to narcissism. I believe that this narcissism can be a healthy self-love that can lead to Social Darwinism if the objectified so desires. Therefore turning a negative into a positive in spite of the intention of the initial objectification.

My work reflects my acceptance of the objectification that I have endured, the narcissism that it created and the success that I have and will continue to turn objectification into. Likewise, I see objectification as a vehicle for feminism to thrive, for each type of feminist individual to meet their personal goals.

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Monday, March 18, 2013

Selected Works 2010-2013