Brooke Shaden

This image is part of my “Sac” series, which is largely comprised of images that show a person being restrained by a layer of fabric. In each of the images the fabric is neutral colored, skin colored. The fabric mimics flesh, as though it is another layer of skin that the subjects are trying to shed or break free from. My new image, “Awakening”, falls into that category and explores another facet of breaking free. It explores female sexuality, the ways in which women are discouraged from expressing their sexuality and also the vulnerability of that feeling.

In the image we find two girls, the same girl added twice into the frame. She stands in similar poses, both of them with their mouths agape. Are they screaming in pain and suffocation or do they feel pleasure? They both hold themselves in such vulnerable ways, but also in explicitly sexual ways. Most of the body language does not say “sex” at all, but instead would suggest that the girls are trapped and weak. However, we can almost hear them yelling, we can almost see the next frame in this story, the girls escaping perhaps. Are they protecting themselves, as the body language would suggest? Do they want to keep this extra layer of flesh that holds them back from fulfilling desire, or do they want to shed it?

The layer of fabric that is draped around the two girls is being pulled off camera on either side. The fabric seems to be just as in control as the girls, if not more. The fabric is taught and suspended and enveloping them. What pulls the fabric tight? What are these girls tied to? This seems to be as close as they can get to each other, and questions if they would get closer if they were able to. It also begs the question of who controls the fabric, who puts the shield around them, and if it is possible to break free.

The detail of the “other girl” suggests sexual exploration and the fact that it is the same girl suggests self-exploration, as does the hand positioning. There are an infinite number of things we can explore about ourselves. The title offers some insight into the image. The title is “Awakening”, and directly references the sexual awakening that everyone experiences. This is the physical representation of that. The entire series could also fall under that name, as they are all meant to be the moment of realization and decision. In this image, the girls are not idly standing by. We can see their real skin underneath the facade and we want them to escape the fleshy prison. The “Sac” series is an attempt to look into those different insecurities and visualize them by showing a physical barrier.