Motherland: A Feminine Exploration of Identity, Friendship, and the Power of the Gaze

GUEN FIORE
YUMIKO HIKAGE
LYNSKI
NASTYA KLYCHKOVA

September 26 – 29, 2024

Motherland is more than a photographic project; it is a celebration of the female gaze, an exploration of identity, and a testament to the power of friendship among young women artists. This collaborative spirit enriches the project, infusing it with a shared vision and a rare depth of emotional resonance. Through her lens, Fiore captures the essence of femininity with a unique blend of intimacy, humor, and deep philosophical inquiry, offering a fresh perspective on the body and its relationship to identity. Central to Motherland is the female gaze—a lens of empathy, understanding, and solidarity. In stark contrast to the often-objectifying male gaze, Guen Fiore, Nastya Klychkova, Yumiko Hikage, and Lynski—portray their subjects with a depth and authenticity that challenge traditional representations of women in art and media. Their approach reframes the body as a subject with its own narratives of struggle and triumph, inviting viewers to engage with these stories on a deeply personal level.

What makes Motherland particularly poignant is that it is a project born out of the collaboration of young women who are not only artists but also friends. This camaraderie infuses the work with a sense of trust and shared experience that is palpable in every image. The intimacy of their friendship allows for a portrayal of the body that is both tender and raw, revealing the vulnerabilities and strengths that define the feminine experience. The fact that these women have come together to explore such a pro- found theme speaks to the power of female solidarity, a concept central to the feminist movement and eloquently articulated by bell hooks. Hooks emphasized the importance of community and sisterhood in challenging societal norms and empowering women, ideas that profoundly influence the collabora- tive spirit and thematic depth of Motherland.
At the heart of Motherland is the exploration of pubic hair as a symbol of identity and self-acceptance. This choice of focus is both bold and refreshingly light-hearted. Pubic hair, often a subject of socie-
tal discomfort and taboo, is reclaimed here as a site of personal expression and empowerment. The project approaches this theme with a sense of humor and playfulness, yet without losing its depth. This ability to treat such an intimate and historically charged topic with levity reflects a broader tradition in feminist art, where humor serves as a powerful tool for subversion. Simone de Beauvoir, in her seminal writings, highlighted the absurdity of the rigid roles imposed on women—a critique that resonates inMotherland as it challenges and redefines societal norms with both wit and wisdom.
The lightness with which Motherland handles these serious themes is not to be mistaken for superfi- ciality. Rather, it reflects a deep understanding of the power of humor to disarm and to invite deeper reflection. This approach allows the viewer to engage with the work on multiple levels—first, as a visual delight, and then as a meditation on the complex relationship
between body, identity, and societal norms.
Philosophically, Motherland can be seen as a dialogue with the existentialist tradition, particularly the ideas of Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir. The project’s exploration of the body as a site
of both freedom and constraint echoes Sartre’s concept of the “facticity” of the body—the notion that while we are free to define our existence, we are also bound by the physical realities of our bodies. Simone de Beauvoir, in her exploration of the female experience, emphasized that women’s liberation requires not the denial of the body, but a deep, authentic engagement with it. Motherland embodies this principle, navigating the tension between freedom and physicality with grace, and suggesting that true freedom comes not from rejecting the body, but from embracing it in all its complexity. Motherland stands as a profound reflection on the female experience, articulated through the eyes of young women who understand the power of the gaze, the strength of friendship, and the subtle art of balancing seriousness with humor. Fiore, Klychkova, Hikage, and Lynski have created a body of work that is as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally impactful, reminding us that the personal is in- deed political, and that art has the power to transform our perceptions of both ourselves and the world around us.

Text by Alessia Glaviano

GUEN FIORE Italian-born photographer has carved a unique niche in the photo world, becoming renowned for her captivating portrayal of womanhood’s diverse facets.
Her journey, a surprising detour from her BA for engineering studies in Rome, began capturing
the lives of her sisters and friends, defying the traditional norms of her small-town upbringing. This defiance echoes in her unique style, which marries personal and honest depictions with a deep focus on femininity-shaped by her predominantly female upbringing and her innate ability to mirror her own experiences.

Fiore crafts complex narratives seamlessly, blending innocence, melancholy, dignity, power, and sensuality.
Her goal is to break the mold or one-dimensional depictions, painting a nuanced portrait of her subjects, particularly young women often limited by typecasts.

Flore’s work has made a mark in renowned publications like The Face, DOUBLE, AnOther, Purple, D La Repubblica, Harper Bazaar and Vogue Italia; and collaborations with iconic brands like Miu Miu, Dior, Vaquera and Mulberry.
NASTYA KLYCHKOVA is a multidisciplinary artist currently based in Berlin. Nastya works with human feelings and states, giving them physical form through various mediums. She frequently incorporates sound, video, costume, photo, sculptures and performance to bring concepts to life. With an extensive background in fashion and creative industries, Nastya employs clothing as a language to reveal captivating storytelling, highlighting symbolism and deeper meanings. Past col- laborations include Vogue Italy, Vogue CZ, Numero, Office Magazine and 032C Magazine.

YUMIKO HIKAGE is a Japanese hairstylist currently based in Paris. Taking references and in- spiration from expressionist and surrealist art along with sculpture, Yumiko creates distinctive and graphic styles in her work as an artist. Yumiko is a wig maker and well versed in creating styles with shape, texture and colour.
LYNSKI is a London-based makeup artist who merges traditional techniques with digital influenc- es to craft unique, textured looks. Her work has been featured on the covers of Vogue, Beauty Papers, and The Face. Her numerous collaborations include brands such as Balenciaga, Loewe, Burberry, Gucci, Byredo and many others.