A collection on perception, power, and the limits of identity
In this series, the image both moves and provokes the viewer. A woman in shiny black latex and a mask-like veil emerges in various poses and moments: she touches her fingers with red, partly smudged lips; she holds a white king chess piece as if it were a strategic puzzle; she points a camera at us, yet is herself part of the game. Together, the images form a tapestry of concealment and revelation, control and surrender.
What fascinates me about this series is the constantly shifting tension between the observer and the observed. The mask protects and conceals; it is both a masquerade and an insignia—anonymizing and yet making one present at the same time. The red color—sometimes vivid on the lips, sometimes smudged—serves as a common thread: at times a sign of sensual intensity, at others a trace of a moment that has just passed. The white king, used as a prop, serves as a clear symbol: Who is running the game? Who is making the moves? Who is truly observing?
Technically, the series plays with light and shine; the surfaces of latex and leather take center stage. Sharp highlights define elegant lines, while shadows enhance posture and the body. This design language underscores the dual interpretation of the motif: on the one hand, fashion and aesthetics; on the other, a psychological narrative about roles, masks, and projections.
The images challenge us to question our own instincts. We’re quick to form opinions about a person—a pose, an outfit, or a makeup look is enough, and we think we know them. During this project, I noticed how intense and polarized reactions can be, even though no one knows the person behind the mask. This project is therefore also a small attempt to highlight the lack of freedom in our judgments and to ask the question: Can we ever truly view a person without prejudice—or does our gaze already force us into a role before we know the whole story?
Collection — Note on the Instagram version
Here I’m sharing the unedited Instagram Reel from the series. For the public Instagram version, I removed the section showing blood-stained lips to avoid potential censorship. The uncut footage is part of the series and reveals additional nuances in the interplay between seduction, vulnerability, and performance—nuances that are only partially visible in the edited Reel.
Installation Locations and Impact
“Who Is Watching?” is well-suited for spaces that seek to spark provocative conversations: galleries, private collections, and modern interiors that embrace intensity. The images are not merely decor—they are discourse, an invitation, and a mirror all at once. They demand a certain attitude from the viewer: curiosity rather than hasty conclusions, inquiry rather than judgment.
If you're watching the series, take a moment. Let the masks challenge your expectations. Ask yourself: Who is watching, and who actually decides who is being watched?
If you'd like to learn more about the works, the unedited material, or the possibility of an exhibition, I look forward to hearing from you.
