They are what they aren't

technical description

Part of a collection of surreal and grotesque accessories translating animal anatomy into functional shapes through leather moulding techniques. Cube-shaped vegetable tanned leather bag. Silver plated diagonal opening mechanism and chain with a vegetable tanned leather handle. Leather surface with black and tonal illustrations. Real dried ear inserted directly into the volume.

Size 650x570x155mm, x gr., 2009.

concept

Helen explored today's designer handbags as a sociological icon. Perceived as a supposed status symbol when in reality that could not be further from truth. Therefore, they are what they aren't. They represent grotesque consumerism of the 21st century and the polarisation of the highest and lowest classes. This collection summarises and represents a battle between perception and reality, between "beautiful" versus grotesque. The development of shapes followed distinctly unusual process: she bought an entire dead pig and cast its interior, contoured the forms of the bags to reference the animal from which the leather is derived.

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