by #LizPublika
Throughout history, different people across the world have wondered: Does art take on a life of its own? I’m inclined to think that it does. After all, when we go to galleries and museums, we often encounter works that have been removed from the artists who created them for centuries. Furthermore, the evolution of technology, such as the emergence of A.I., is ushering in a new age, where art does not only exist apart from the artist, but may even “create” on its own.
SKYE CLEARY NEVER GETS OLD, a “solo” exhibition featuring the latest paintings of artist Skye Cleary presented by The Untitled Space, which opens on March 15th and remains on view until March 29th, explores this question in depth. Curated by Indira Cesarine, the exhibition was put together in collaboration with Lisa Levy, Sharilyn Neidhardt, and Meryl Meisler to showcase the works of an unusual artist, a sex doll by the name of Skye Cleary that was employed as a sex worker as she pursued her MFA at the School of Visual Arts in 2016.
Confused yet? Let’s break this down.
In 2018, conceptual artist, stand-up comic, and radio talk show host Lisa Levy was researching the human imagination when she was gifted a sex doll by a prominent therapist. It got Levy thinking about identity, a subject that concerns much of the contemporary art world, especially with the emergence of A.I.. And with that an idea was born. In SKYE CLEARY NEVER GETS OLD, Levy explores the question of whether the doll could become the artist, and if so, how?
Levy’s work is primarily rooted in concept and humor. She built on the idea of symbolism. Using the doll to represent women, who are often viewed and treated as objects, she decided to create an empowering performance art piece that could help her audience reclaim and embrace their sexuality, a message she promotes in art and in life. To accomplish her goal, and make Skye Cleary into a real girl, she enlisted the help of friend and fellow artist Sharilyn Neidhardt.
A person is more than the sum of their parts, but so is Skye Cleary. The sex doll evolved from an object into an “artist,” whose multi-faceted identity is revealed through the use of visual narrative via 20 acrylic-on-canvas paintings. To convey the “artist’s” introspective journey, Levy and Neidhardt relied on a creative process native to advertisers and art directors, by giving her a backstory and drawing on her “experiences.” And much like a good lie is usually rooted in truth, Cleary’s life story is rooted in the doll’s original purpose.
"I created the work in this exhibition to examine and bring awareness to how ridiculous it is to feel shame from earning a living as an exotic dancer. To use humor to make light of it. I fear that society is afraid of women owning the power they already have,” explains Skye Cleary in her official artist statement. “I want to address how women are often judged by their physical being and expected to feel shame in relation to their bodies. Most importantly, I want to encourage other young women to own their sexuality and have control of it.”
To take this concept even further, the artists looped in renowned nightlife photographer Meryl Meisler, to document Skye Cleary’s life at Brooklyn’s hotspot House of Yes, Together, the works in the exhibition and the driving concept behind the exhibition, which aims to present Cleary as a talented artist who “worries that the art world won’t take her seriously because of her exotic dancing and life as a sex worker.” Needless to say, SKYE CLEARY NEVER GETS OLD promises to be a unique and entertaining exhibition.
Opening Reception
March 15, 2024 | 6-9pm
The Untitled Space
45 Lispenard Street, NYC 10013
Skye Cleary Bio
Artist Skye Cleary graduated with an MFA from the School of Visual Arts in 2016. Cleary’s previous solo shows include Arcade Projects, Satellite Art Fair, and SPRING/BREAK Art Fair. She’s also been in several group shows, most notably at 56 Henry Street, the Whitney Museum Young Collectors exhibition event, and Chasahama.
Live performances about young women and sexual currency include The Brick Theater, Union Hall, and HERE Arts Center. Her work has been featured in many publications such as i-D, Whitehot Magazine, and ArtNet as well as a feature story in the School of Visual Arts alumni publication. She lives and works in Brooklyn with her 5-pound Chihuahua, Astro.
Note* All of the event information and images are provided by our partners.