annie scott

slippery when wet (I-III), 2024

masonite, cardboard, wax, plaster, acrylic paint

this three-part sculpture installation explores the tension between vulnerability, transparency, and the right to opacity in how we present ourselves to the world. through a series of confessions, warnings, and representations of internal and interpersonal conflict, the piece invites viewers to consider how we often conceal the darker, more complicated parts of our inner lives. these hidden aspects, whether emotional, psychological, or relational, raise critical questions about transparency: is being transparent always a form of honesty, or does it risk reducing us, exposing our weaknesses, or stripping away the complexity of our experiences?

the materiality and imagery of the piece—caution signs—serve as a metaphor for this tension. the signs are bright yellow, emblazoned with "warning" text, designed to stand out and demand attention. however, they are also symbols of something that has become so ubiquitous in our environment that it often slips into the mundane, unnoticed, and ignored. this subtle contradiction reflects how we, as individuals and as a society, sometimes overlook or dismiss the need for deeper engagement with others’ struggles, masking vulnerability under layers of normalcy or indifference. the piece implicates the audience directly by positioning them in a space where they are both confronted by the visible "warnings" but also challenged to slow down and truly pay attention to what is being expressed—both in the artwork and in the bodies around them.

what reward, if any, comes from this careful attentiveness to the hidden, often invisible, struggles of others? how does taking the time to engage with what we usually ignore—whether in the art or in our daily lives—shape our understanding of the boundaries between privacy and exposure? in creating this installation, i wanted to ask whether we have a right to remain opaque, to keep our internal worlds to ourselves, or if the call for transparency is always a form of honesty—or a reduction of our complexity. through these questions, the piece engages with the vulnerability of bodies in space and the subtle yet profound dynamics that shape how we engage with one another in the presence of unseen pain and conflict.