Detail

The photographs by artist Kaucyila Brooke shown here are reminiscent of conceptual fashion photography. They are in sharp focus and are very precise compositions in minimalist clarity. The items of clothing they show are hung on simple wire hangers in the center of the image. The photo series “Kathy Acker’s Clothes” shows clothes from the estate of the feminist writer Kathy Acker, who died in 1997. In these photos, Kauciylia Brooke tells the story of part of Acker’s life by documenting her clothing in photographs. An empty and isolated item of clothing allows us to deeply feel the absence of the former wearer. As the real object of memory is the missing person of Kathy Acker, when we see these clothes we immediately begin to ask questions about her. Who was Kathy Acker? What does the clothing she left behind have to say? What signs, hints, or conclusions can be drawn about the original owner of these clothes? Even if we only see a small selection of the wardrobe of the queen of punk, as Kathy Acker was known, this still reflects the fashion-conscious lifestyle of this writer, and also her own critical exploration of questions of self-enactment and of sexual identity.