Koumudi Patil
You are getting under My Skin

6 - 28 November 09

“Personalization of the body is an attempt to declare its ownership or to simply differentiate the ‘other’. The human tendency to guard, reveal, hide and nurture that which we think as ones own is evident in the tendency of marking and unmarking oneself. The visual manifestation of this body is encountered on the surface layer of the skin. The outermost surface is a space for visual and physical encounters. Skin marks the boundaries of bodily spaces. No wonder that the control of this outer layer has become a strategic practice to control the other.

“’Out, damned spot! out, I say!’”

- Macbeth Act 5, scene 1, 26–40

This attempt to control and own gets under your skin. Thinking through the skin may lead us to a frenzied attempt to wash out all seen and unseen marks of Duncans blood. Or else one may position oneself on more profane versions of the cosmetic industry instead. While thinking of the profane one may not leave the attempts to attain purity at length of both thought and physique. A few drops of the sacred water purifies the skin of the impure gaze of the other.   

To mark or not to mark (the skin)

To be pure or not to be pure (skin)

To reveal or not reveal (the skin)” - Koumudi Patil

Koumudi Patil’s first solo exhibition ‘You are getting under My Skin’ will be held at The Guild, Mumbai from November 6 to 28, 2009. Patil received her B.F.A from Sir J. J. School of Art, Mumbai and M.F.A from Kala Bhawan, Santiniketan. Koumudi is currently working as a Faculty at the Art and Design Programme of IIT Kanpur. Patil has also been involved with several public art projects and group shows over the past few years.