Voyeur: 340 Old Street, London. The exhibition and performance by Gaynor Evelyn Sweeney was to adapt her previous work, titled 'The Temple' within the context of the gallery space. This involved workshops working with two other artists, Tony Knox & Rita Says they became part of the live performances in the space.on alterative days This exhibition was curated by Terry Duffy.
Images taken during this particular performance were documented by photographer Robert Sargent. Copyright of Gaynor Evelyn Sweeney 2005
The performance opens with tony Knox completely naked apart from the two reproduced images of her breasts and pubic hair, which were taped over his own male chest and genitals. In front of an audience who observed through the windows from the street. Sweeney embalmed and shrouded his body from the feet to the neck, while he stood motionless. This was secured into placed with a needle and thread. When Sweeney reached his neck, she caressed his head and face and picked up a bowl of water, soap and a razor and gradually shaved away his beard. She rinsed his face with her hands and the water from the bowl. These items she placed back on the floor. She then stared to wrap his head with the remaining shroud, sewing it into place. A reproduction of Gaynor Evelyn Sweeney's eyes and pubic hair were then secured with stitches over his own face covered with the shroud. The pace of the performance changed here drastically. Sweeney pulled Knox around violently and pushed him to the floor to step back and catch his body and head to cushion it. She walked to the based of feet, his body laid out before her and unbuttoned the medical coat to reveal the same reproduced images on her breast and genitals that were taped to his naked body at the start of the performance. Sweeney fastened medical coat back up, bends forward and dragged his body out of view by the ankles Tony Knox on other scheduled performances by Sweeney supported as photographer and cinematographer.
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