My work examines the effects of our fragmented society on one’s psyche and its manifestation on the body. The concept of alienation is essential to this exploration. Alienation takes place on the psychological and social level, yet it can express itself on the physical level, quietly being performed on the body. I use female figures to address society’s traditional gaze and treatment of the female body. The viewer’s gaze and presence creates a juxtaposition between the lived body and the body as an object. The figures confront you with the hidden emotions that can cause a disassociated relationship with the body and sexuality. Through the creation of these figures and the inner captivity that they seek to expose, a tension emerges between being bound by this alienation from the body, and searching for freedom from it.

I began working with the figure over three years ago in the tradition of clay as a vessel. However, they intuitively evolved into much more sculptural forms with an evolving content. The sources of the forms and the content driving their creation are autobiographical in nature.

Josie Bockelman
November 2000

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