Kristina E. Knipe

Artist Seeks Self-Injurers

In 2012 I posted an advertisement on the community section of craigslist titled, “Artist Seeks Self-Injurers,” and began meeting with individuals who have engaged in self-harm. Liberated by the knowledge of our shared transgressive behavior, we talked about this taboo without fear of judgement.

I asked each individual to share stories about self-harm. These photographs were generated from their experiences and our exchanges.

Self-injury is a visual practice that creates a physical record on the body. Photographs and scars both relate to memory, and can override memory, and jolt memories up out of your consciousness.  Like photography, the past is fixed upon a surface- the skin. The body becomes a record.