Artists Chadwick Gray and Laura Spector recreate historical works of art using Gray's body as the canvas for each ambitious painting. The artistic duo, simply known as Chadwick & Spector, have been collaborating on their ongoing series known as Museum Anatomy for over a decade. More than simply painting an image on a bare torso, the creative pair work with all parts of the body composed in a number of ways.
Gray, who typically stands in as the canvas while Spector takes on the role of painter, gets into varying positions, making it a challenging task for each painting to neatly line up. The anamorphic illusions are especially fascinating to view as Gray contorts his body and face. Even better, the paintings are often of people which creates an interesting look at human figures on a human figure.
In many instances, the painted mouth is not directly aligned with Gray's mouth. Instead, Gray's own face serves to add an element of surprise and illusion to the viewer as it overlaps and extends beyond the face of the portrait painted on him. The series creates a sort of game out of viewing each painting where you try to figure out what part of Gray you're actually looking at.
Two images from the series are currently showing as part of The Big Show in Houston, Texas. The group exhibition will be running through August 10, 2013.
Top image: Cleopatra's Feast, after Jordeans, detail 2
Nell Gwynne as St. Catherine, after Sir Peter Lely
Saint Mary Magdalene, after Carlo Dolci
Wedding Portrait
Judith With The Head of Holofernes, after Cranach
La Modelo Aline Massun, after Madrazo
Hottentots Sharing a Dram, after Duff
Cleopatra's Feast, after Jordeans
Jeanne d'Arc, after Eugene Thirion
Lanna Woman (Wat Umong)
Wishbone, after Gysis
Girl at Window, after Avlichos
Madeline de France, Queen of Scotland, after Cornielle de Leon
Portrait of Marie Czartorsky, after Cermak
