Allison Rosh

Skin is both an extremely receptive and judged part of the body. It makes up our personal appearance and serves as protection to our internal selves. This work explores the body and skin as signifiers for my personal identity. Over time the elements surrounding us take a toll mentally and physically on the body. Obsessive tendencies that affect the body can be relieving and the length that one will go to in order to appear well and put together intrigues me.

The fragility and durability of paper is reminiscent of skin. I am drawn to the distress that is created on the surface of the work. This layer of information alludes that there may be more than what meets the eye. Similarly, I began to notice the surface of the skin and how there are areas that I become fixated on. Specific marks, structures, and cracks in the skin allows for layering and building value up within the image. Skin becomes scraped, torn, and bruised but often heals. In the process of healing, the appearance of skin may be altered. This alteration is a permanent reminder, a scar. With meticulous sanding and abrading to the surface of the print, colors and information that lie below the surface are revealed.