Nancy Davidson

Ridin’ High

April 29-May 29, 2016

Lord Ludd, Philadelphia

In her show “Ridin’ High,” at Lord Ludd in Philadelphia, Davidson invites her biomorphic forms to bump and grind above viewers, at once drawing us closer, turning us on, and freaking us out. Many of the sculptures begin with a weather balloon that the artist blows up with a nozzle. Then she goes to work, squeezing and binding and smushing the round orbs into various bodacious configurations. For example, “Blue Moon” resembles a belly and butt bursting from a corset trying desperately to restrain them, while another recalls fishnet stockings winding their way up impossibly long legs. Through abstraction, Davidson creates images so physical you may find yourself needing to swallow, as sometimes perusing erotic materials makes one forget to breathe.

How An Artist Is Using Minimalist Sculpture To Challenge Absurd Body Ideals.

By Priscilla Frank

Photo Credit: STUDIO LHOOQ