Hands Down
Isaac Couch
Artist Statement: May 25th, 2020, my world view was effectively shattered; the day George Floyd was murdered by policeman Derek Chauvin. Although this is a far too common occurrence, this is the incident that flipped a switch for me. From that point on everything I thought to be true and trustworthy was turned upside down. At this present moment I feel as though I am rebuilding my understanding of the country I call home from scratch. My most current work aims to redefine my conflicting identity as African American. I am looking deeper into what it means and how it feels to be a Black citizen from the South. I am reaching back into my own personal past as well as the past of this country to grab the symbols and materials that surround me, question them and reimagine them.
Due to my upbringing in rural Western KY, where hard work is valued in its most traditional sense, I am drawn to working garment silhouettes and heavy materials. Primarily working within fashion and fiber, I find myself working with my hands versus my fingers. That may manifest in heavy handed strokes, visible stitches and unorthodox finishes rather than the fine, seamless, and invisible techniques of traditional haute couture.
In 2021, my graduate thesis installation, titled Hands Up, featured ghostly forms lifting their hands in rejoice, or surrender. If Hands Up is about the critical points our society and country approach and move beyond, then Hands Down is about the moments in between.
Due to my upbringing in rural Western KY, where hard work is valued in its most traditional sense, I am drawn to working garment silhouettes and heavy materials. Primarily working within fashion and fiber, I find myself working with my hands versus my fingers. That may manifest in heavy handed strokes, visible stitches and unorthodox finishes rather than the fine, seamless, and invisible techniques of traditional haute couture.
In 2021, my graduate thesis installation, titled Hands Up, featured ghostly forms lifting their hands in rejoice, or surrender. If Hands Up is about the critical points our society and country approach and move beyond, then Hands Down is about the moments in between.
When new regulations are imposed,
When new people are in office,
When your unique identity is no longer a topic of interest,
When the protesters go home,
When we put our hands down and get back to our regularly scheduled programming,
What do these materials, symbols, and colors begin to mean again?
More importantly, what do they mean to me, or to you?
How do you renegotiate your identity and your place of belonging when the illusion of normalcy is reinstated?
When new people are in office,
When your unique identity is no longer a topic of interest,
When the protesters go home,
When we put our hands down and get back to our regularly scheduled programming,
What do these materials, symbols, and colors begin to mean again?
More importantly, what do they mean to me, or to you?
How do you renegotiate your identity and your place of belonging when the illusion of normalcy is reinstated?
Artist Bio: Originally from Western KY, with where corn is farmed and coal is mined, Isaac Couch is an artist who has brought his southern perspective to the northern city of Chicago where he lives and works. After receiving a Bachelor's degree in Merchandising Apparel and Textiles from the University of Kentucky, he went on to earn his Masters of Design at SAIC. During his time there he learned how to express his passion for issues such as the social relations within his country and climate change as it relates to the fashion industry.
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Public Gallery Hours
Wednesday 12pm-5pm
Thursday 12pm-5pm Friday 12pm-5pm Saturday 12pm - 5pm Viewings also available by appointment |
The Loudoun House
209 Castlewood Dr. Lexington, Ky. 40505 Email: [email protected]
Phone 859-254-7024 |
All Lexington Art League programs are made possible through the generous support of LexArts.
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The Kentucky Arts Council, a state arts agency, provides operating support to the Lexington Art League with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support provided by Lexington Parks & Recreation.
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