Erica Eyres

Page 1 | 2 | Biography

I am interested in how humans use an absurd mixture of opposing emotions when they are faced with overwhelming situations and anxiety, and I would like viewers to have a similar experience of contradictory sensations when they see my work. I combine conflicting sources to create awkward figures or characters that may be likened to that of a teenager who is trapped between childhood and adulthood. These characters straddle the border between being pitiful and hilarious so that they demand both empathy and uncomfortable laughter.
Without Arms (top left image) is the story of four women who became friends and formed a political group during college. They decided, collectively, to make a statement by cutting off their right arms. Moments after, one member (Diane), decided to have her arm surgically sewn back on. As a result, she becomes alienated by the group and is forced to return to isolation. The film is a mock documentary, tracing the group’s story through interviews with each member.
In the video Key #02 (top right), I dressed as a male motivational speaker who delivers a lecture about "key number two" in how to "get positive". While listening to the character's advice about positive thinking, we are also confronted with five different women who emmulate fashion models that are happy to pose for us in spite of their hideous deformities.
Destiny Green (middle image) is a documentary about the life of a fictional beauty queen who’s story is inspired by both Jonbenet Ramsey and Jocelyne Wildenstein. The film traces the child’s history through interviews with friends and professional relations, discussing her rise to fame, her disappearance and shocking reappearance after having her face surgically removed.
Image description - Top right images : top far right; Without Arms (video still). Digital video, 21 min. 13, 2004. Top right image; Key #02, (video still). Digital video, 2005. Above image; Destiny Green (video still). Digital video, 7 min. 30 , 2006. Right image; Jenny Johnson (video still), work in progress, 2006.
Glasgow
United Kingdom
Europe

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