As a child, there's a certain comfort in the simple act of receiving a brightly colored plaster for a scraped knee or a minor wound, little dramas that may occur while riding a bicycle or playing with friends. It's a tangible expression of care from a grown-up, a gesture that goes beyond the physical act of applying the plaster.
If only such a simple remedy could extend to healing the world's collective physical and emotional wounds. Unfortunately, no universal plaster exists for such complex ailments. However, there are artists who have been using plasters in symbolical ways.
South African artist Jabulani Maseko, hailing from Johannesburg and raised during the tumultuous era of Apartheid, found his voice while employing plasters as one of the main materials for his artworks.
Departing from his homeland in the same year Nelson Mandela was released, Maseko's artistic journey led him to London, where he explored themes of identity, domesticity, and societal integration. Drawing inspiration from his surroundings, including music, politics, and everyday life, Maseko transformed plasters into a medium for expression.
In his series "For the People, By The People" and "Carnevale," Maseko used plasters as both paint and material for masks, weaving intricate narratives of social commentary and cultural exploration.
Particularly striking is his "Disruptive Patterns" series, which employs flesh-colored plasters to highlight the subtle yet pervasive impact of racial classification on our daily interactions and perceptions.
In her 2019 exhibition "La règle du jeu", inspired by the protagonist of Jean Renoir's 1939 eponymous film, the late artist and fashion/interior designer Cinzia Ruggeri hung in front of a window, a black see-through négligée covered in plasters, maybe to symbolize Christine (from Renoir's film), love wounds, her broken heart and resilience.
Removed from its cinematic context, Ruggeri's garment serves as a powerful symbol of strength and endurance, embodying the resilience of countless women who face life's challenges with grace and determination (by the way, those readers who may be in Milan and want to continue discovering Ruggeri's works can head to the exhibition "Paper Threads", featuring drawings and prototypes of the artist, kicking off tomorrow at Fabbrica del Vapore; the exhibition is on till 20th April and coincides with the local Design Week).
Yet plasters hold a special significance for individuals like entrepreneur and former stylist Linda Rodin, whose collection spans four decades. For Rodin, the allure lies not only in their practical function but also in their vibrant hues, something that struck her when she discovered by chance blue plasters at a shop in Bath in the mid-'80s.
In fashion, enthusiasts of the Decora style embrace plasters as a statement accessory, adorning their noses with colorful plasters (think fashion designer Kristina Elle AKA cybr.girl) to complete their looks reminiscent of a maxi-maximalist version of Rainbow Brite.
Yet, even the most vibrant plasters cannot mend all wounds or alleviate all sorrows. Life's challenges often defy simple solutions, requiring the courage to face adversity head-on.
While the journey to healing may be arduous, there is solace in embracing inspiration and nurturing the mind and spirit. In moments of difficulty, perhaps the best course of action is to take a deep breath, engage in activities that ignite passion, and draw strength from within. And, maybe, rather than to cover a wound, we could wear a plaster like badge, to give us courage in our pursuit of healing.
Comments