CAKE

Julia Kidd

March 13 – 20

The CAKE series began as an exploration of the wide-ranging use of “cake” in modern vocabulary, which has transformed this tasty treat, traditionally associated with childhood and celebrations, into a multifaceted metaphoric object for things like make up (in Cake Your Face), sex (in Making Cake), and political insensitivity (in Let Them Eat Cake). Kidd proceeds to employ this symbol in even more outlandish contexts in order to juxtapose such a delicate, innocent, joyous and playful object with heavy subject matter such as the lack of regulation in the FDA (in FDA Approved), the self-destructiveness of gluttony (in The Gluttonous Ouroborus), the toxicity of the fashion industry (in Branded), and propagation of religious iconography (in Holy Cake). Bizarre combinations of subject matter, like Jesus being represented by a cupcake, challenge preconceived notions of right and wrong and invite further investigation into the hidden intentions and larger consequences of these major institutions. Beyond subject, most of the series utilizes oil paint because of its supple, blendable, and irresistible nature, lending itself to mimicking the appearance and texture of frosting. Oil paint, often considered a decadent paint medium, has withstood centuries of use, and its long history pairs well with the formidable topics Kidd has placed upon its shoulders. All of these ideas tie into the larger theme of consumption that her work revolves around.