Prized Possessions
© Thandiwe Muriu“Even the high and noble bow before the barber.”
African Proverb
Only within the public spaces of hair salons and barbershops can the individual both unveil- and then hide- their true self. Where the energetic hum of clippers and the loud blare of Spanish soap operas fill the space, a profound moment of truth unfolds. It begins with the rippling motion of the barber's cape draped over shoulders, hair undone and messy, as the unvarnished reflection of one’s true, natural self stares back.
“Prized Possessions” delves into the human fascination with objects: the raw complexity of relationships between people and the commonplace symbols of social belonging, they repetitively gather. In an open-ended social commentary, the modern reflection of Thandiwe Muriu’s work symbolises this fixation. Why do we obsess? In the same vein of Barbara Kruger, Muriu’s embedded hair objects welcome self introspection and vulnerability.
Seated within a barber’s chair, a haircut becomes society’s definition of perfection beneath skillful hands. It is impossible to turn away from the meticulous creation which appears one cut at a time. Hair becomes a fine-tuned barometer of society’s spirit within any era, making it the perfect backdrop for Thandiwe Muriu’s reversed exploration- welcoming the viewer to unveil themselves rather than conceal. Just as being on the barber’s chair can be vulnerable but transformative, perhaps facing the candid relationship between humanity and obsession can be freeing.
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