Practical

In our practical we were asked to experiment with various materials to create some sort of texture/imperfection within the skin. 

I created a wound like area and observed the way it changed. For example the below image, I deliberately didn't seal the product and kept the product there and watched how it changed and cracked. 

I love the texture it created and the way it cracked as you moved. This type of texture would be interesting on the fact in some sort of pattern. 

Scarification

Sketches

Shilluk Tribe

I chose this image in particular due to the emotion and identity within the mans expression. the elderly man almost seems to be caught of guard and the image looks quite unexpected. You are left wondering what he's thinking and what he's been through in life. Obviously due to his scarring he has overcome milestones and created memories within his life.

 Shilluk tribe are known to create scars upon the forehead that resemble pearls and as if they are creating a crown. Portraying a strong sense of culture and identity. Scarring is designed by fish hooks.
Scarification also prevents kidnapping, as said before indicates a sense of identity. Therefore tribes are easily spotted by the pattern of their scars.

Ariana Page Russell

Ariana Page Russell is an artist that explores upon the skin of the body by marking and decorating areas, this is created due to her hypersensitive skin. therefore areas of flesh that are effected will only raise and create redness and hyper-pigmentation. Russell also has a condition called dermatographia, which means a persons immune system releases excessive amounts of histamine which then causes capillaries to dilate, therefore welts then appear which lasts around 30 minutes.  Meaning Russell is able to draw/scratch upon her skin with no pain, to then photograph the evidence.

Tribal Modification - Africa

'NUBA' 

Nuba is a term used for the people who inhabit the Nuba mountains, located within the south of Sudan. They all reflect various roles in society. Women as young as 10 years old will have their breasts scarred then as their life evolves in a series of events such as child birth, the back and torso will be scarred to portray maturity. 

Initiation Ceremony

Scarification - This will indicated milestones in their life and portrays their roles in society. Also linking to sexual desire. 

I feel scarification is the equivalent to the type of beauty we are obsessed with in this day and age. Such as many people feel the need to surgically manipulate the body. Some may be strongly influenced by the media and how 'perfect' they see the celebrities, therefore are drawn to plastic surgery, almost to be like everybody else. An ongoing trend in our culture. Just like the tribes in Nuba, their culture don't seem to know any different to scarification and it seems like if one of them go against the scarring then they will become an outcast. 

Although the scarification is a painful event within their lives, it marks a sentimental memory that will physically be with them forever.