INSIDE OUT

Is transparency a sign of strength?

Inside Out, 2021
Oil paint, acrylic and aluminium
Unique work
H30 x W23 x D28cm
© Mark Humphrey

“INSIDE OUT IS A SELF-PORTRAIT CONSTRUCTED FROM FLESH-TONE THREADS SUSPENDED ACROSS AN EXPOSED METAL SKELETAL STRUCTURE. THE HEAD IS HOLLOW, MOULDED IN ALUMINIUM FOIL OVER MY OWN FACE, APPEARING STRONG FROM THE FRONT YET EMPTY FROM BEHIND – AS THOUGH EVERYTHING INSIDE HAS BEEN POURED OUT INTO THE OPEN.

THE OUTER SKIN HAS BEEN REVERSED, EXPOSING WHAT WOULD NORMALLY REMAIN HIDDEN. FLESH AND BONE BECOME THE EXTERIOR, CHALLENGING THE FACADE WE PRESENT TO THE WORLD AND ASKING WHAT TRULY LIES BENEATH. THE WORK EXPLORES HONESTY, AUTHENTICITY AND TRANSPARENCY – THE COURAGE TO SPEAK THE TRUTH AND REVEAL WHO WE REALLY ARE.

PRESENTED LIKE AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERY, THE HEAD BECOMES AN ARTEFACT OF OUR CIVILISATION – PART ANCIENT MASK, PART CONTEMPORARY VESSEL, EXCAVATED AS THOUGH WE ARE LOOKING BACK AT HUMANITY LAID BARE. PERHAPS REAL STRENGTH IS NOT IN WHAT WE BURY, BUT IN HAVING THE COURAGE TO EXPOSE WHAT LIES WITHIN.”

Mark Humphrey