My work centers on the manner with which bodies hold memory. Human bodies and in turn, bodies of fabric. Human bodies take on and hold the entire spectrum of experience - on one side highlighting and augmenting the positive, and on the other protecting one's mind from overwhelm and trauma. Continued exposure to this spectrum reshapes our bodies and its movements; which successively alters our mind and its thoughts.
In accepting ourselves and others, we must accept with totality, and without condition. We cannot choose the portions we like and leave the rest - with respect to that, my pieces are not cut and pieced back together. The works begin and remain as one unbroken length of fabric. Consider my works as portraits, displaying all that a person was, is and will be.
Fabric became a fascination because it is in contact with us as humans more than anything in this world. It shields, hides and advertises us, amongst all that it gives. Fabric reshapes itself, allowing us freedom to move in any direction at any time. Fabric wears its history for all to see - without fear, nor pride.
I choose a tightly bounded palette to compress my work's message, and to compress the viewer's attention into a concentrated space with the purpose of heightening communication. I want the viewer to know that the works were made for their eyes as much as they were made for me to speak.
Kent O’Doherty, 2024