Diana. State One 2018

Matthew Barney made this ‘Diana. State One’ sometime in his career, though it's undated, with some kind of metal, probably copper, and a method that I can only guess at! The surface is alive with marks, and I love how the patterns create this figure, camouflaged against a tree; there's a real sense of discovery involved in seeing it. The physical qualities of the artwork, its metallic texture and color, give it a unique presence, one that is both visually appealing and conceptually intriguing. I'm drawn to the fine lines and textures that define the figure's clothing, almost like an insect's exoskeleton or bark on a tree. Barney's work often explores themes of transformation and metamorphosis, like Carolee Schneemann, and this piece seems to fit within that larger conversation about how bodies relate to the world around them. Ultimately, art is a conversation, a process of back-and-forth between artists and viewers, and this piece invites us to join in.