photography by Todd Gries
I have been slowly putting this picture together for the past 2 years. I took up with the barnyard brothel women in 2009 and have been working toward the picture above ever since. First I completed the women, which were featured in my graduating thesis. Then, after graduation I worked on how to get the women to stay on my head. I first started imagining these women as a head piece in 2010 shortly before my graduation from the University of Cincinnati's DAAP program for fine art. At first I pictured cone shaped hats or something tiered like a cake (or Devo), but I think this way looks much better. The picture reminds me of Frieda Kahlo. Without a doubt the stern face and ornate hair she displays in her self portraits has influenced me.
