ABOUT THE WORK

Mark-making is the process artists often use to create a variety of patterns, lines, and scribbles. In the photographic series Libidinal Mark-Marking, friends and lovers use their mouths, tongues, and teeth as primary tools for creating marks on skin; they leave traces of ruptured blood vessels and bruises also known as hickeys. Hickeys are the bruise-like marks that remain after the vigorous suction of skin often on necks and backs. They provide evidence of a hedonistic and sexual encounter. In this work, Ibarra attempts to document proof that our sexual desires are often congruent with the urge to consume those we love.

I would like to thank Johnny Galvan for studio assistance and all the friends and family who participated in this series.