Deanna Templeton: Scratch my name on your arm

Under the title of Scratch my name on your arm, Deanna Templeton is exhibiting a sizable collection of black & white photographs she took over the last five years during skateboard demonstrations, surfing competitions and other similar events, mostly in southern California.

The photographs bear witness to a remarkable metamorphosis. Where once the autograph of an idol would be primarily a souvenir - a scribble in a diary, on a poster or t-shirt — nowadays it’s often the receiver’s way of drawing attention to themselves and the repertoire has expanded to include corporate and lifestyle logos. The object is to have the autograph or the logo embossed on a person’s bare skin (for example, the abdomen, buttocks or forehead) or on underwear, preferably on view, so as to attract maximum attention from bystanders.

In this fashion, this “body language” has developed into body art and spectacle at the same time. Perhaps unsuspectingly and just for fun, but in whatever event, it has become a form of communication that has lent itself to artistic study. Deanna Templeton has made her contribution with this series of revealing and apposite portraits.

The exhibition is accompanied by a publication of the same name, with texts by Ed Templeton and Stijn Huijts.

Deanna Templeton
Scratch my name on your arm