David Werkstatt

“The color photograph self portrait series of David Werkstatt are also headless and reveal the artist’s process of managing/concealing a severe case of kyphosis which results in curvature of the spine. Three views of his back against a uniform olive green background appear ‘normal’ except for the scar between the shoulder blades. His headless figure is posed on a pedestal implying a correlation to classic sculptural display and invokes the notion of ‘perfection’. The artist discusses his effort to counterbalance and mimic his struggle to maintain normal and socially acceptable appearances while grappling with the insidious disease. In “Untitled #2″, the shoulder girdle is raised, aligning the pink accented elbows alongside the tensed, elongated torso while pinching the scar of surgery, making a strong sculptural statement with ties to modern aesthetics.” — Marlene Steele (full article here: aeqai.com)

Happy to report I have three photos from my Wrong Turns series featured in "The Nude: Self & Others" exhibition at LAL (Jan 11 - March 3, 2013). The show was juried by Ebony G. Patterson.

The battle between mind and body is annoying. I wasn't born with Kyphosis, but have allowed a severe case to help define me throughout most of my adult life. With this in mind, my work attempts a reversal of the situation. The statue like self-portraits are not so much posed as they are a desperate attempt to conceal – using only the exploration of my physical deformity as cover. This effort is designed to both counter and mimic my daily struggle to maintain what I consider the semblance of a normal appearance.  Control is claimed by taking advantage of the full severity of my spine’s curve, leaving it out in the open to fend for itself.