Expectations

Expectations, Chaz Howkins, 2018, human hair on wax strips and pencil on paper

I was commissioned to create a piece of work which related to the theme of hair for an exhibition called Hair Matters.  I decided to focus on pubic hair and the expectations of bodies which are read as female.  The wax strips which surround the vulva are covered in real human hair to mimic pubic hair while swapping the expected colours of the vulva and the wax strips.

Hair Matters

Hair Matters Exhibition

Hair Matters Exhibition 

Myself and my artwork - Expectations at Hair Matters

Hair Matters was an exhibition which spread across 5 venues in Dalston, London.  The exhibition examined the social and cultural symbolism of hair in the 21st century and featured the work of six young, queer artists who explore the personal and political significance of hair and body hair as incredibly charged symbols of identity. The public interventions included photo manipulations, work with textiles, collage material, graphic design, ephemera and audio material.

I was very happy to have been chosen for the exhibition and commissioned to create a new piece for the show.  I decided to make a piece about pubic hair and the expectations of female bodies.