Altered Anatomies

Abstract

The dawning possibility of changing our physical forms through greater and greater levels of technological intervention confronts us with ancient philosophical questions, not just of who one is, but also of who one wants to be. These questions exist as overt interrogations and non-verbal desires. One avenue for the exploration of these desires has been the creation and manipulation of bodies beyond the human : altered anatomies. Such transhumans have been with us since ancient times and continue to proliferate today. This thesis examines the work of the artist Bobby Campbell to explore those bodies and desires. The thesis begins with a brief look at the impulse to change one’s form. This is followed by a discussion of particular contexts relevant to the artist’s work. The major thesis work, a large-scale, multi-part painting of altered anatomies, is then critically examined. Finally, the epilogue reveals some of the inner monologue of the artist in undertaking such work.