A skin ball (exfoliated skin collected from my mother and me while scrubbing our backs)
2012
Archival inkjet print, text on paper
10x10 inches each
Every Sunday morning, our family went to the public bath, a Korean ritual.
I remember the impressive moment when a collection of naked bodies, ranging from babies to old women, scrubbed and cared for their skin. They helped each other clean their bodies. Even strangers were welcome.
My mother and I touched, squeezed, and smelled our bodies. I was confused about whose body was whose. The intimate public bath was packed and no one was ashamed of being naked. Soon, the bodies became one.
I remember the impressive moment when a collection of naked bodies, ranging from babies to old women, scrubbed and cared for their skin. They helped each other clean their bodies. Even strangers were welcome.
My mother and I touched, squeezed, and smelled our bodies. I was confused about whose body was whose. The intimate public bath was packed and no one was ashamed of being naked. Soon, the bodies became one.
All images copyright kyoungeun Kang