Many have asked about the origin of the piece titled Façade, featured on the cover of the July 2020 issue (XX) of High Shelf Press.
The artwork is similar in technique to Cosmetic, Bitten Lip and Push To Start but is contrasted most markedly by the face in hard shadows. The subject’s face is less vibrant than the more prominent colors of the wig. This face, not actually apparel or part of the show so to speak, is intentionally the same color as the blue background and the only clear characteristic is in fact the shadow.
The overall image is dominated by an orange wig and the floral dress; these being in more solid form. The wig is forward of the face and if you examine the neckline you will notice that the dress floats disjointedly off of the body.
Façade as the name suggests is about our outer appearance and the tools we implement to portrait ourselves. These implementations can ironically both express and betray our inner most self.
In the words of Ru-Paul, “we’re all born naked and the rest is drag” is an accurate sentiment for this piece. I don’t know that I agree with this entirely but in principle it would be hard not to admit that self-awareness and self-expression go hand-in-hand.
View Façade here: https://www.gillianloop.com/originals/facade
High Shelf Press: https://www.highshelfpress.com/