In this exhibition, Hairytales, the artist presents and exemplifies an innovative approach how to use human hair as both a medium and narrative tool. In most of the two-dimensional compositions, the crumpled paper serves as a textured background, juxtaposing the organic quality of the hair. The dark, tangles strands seem to spill beyond the confines of the paper, symbolising an unruly force that cannot be contained by boundaries.
Godwin Cutajar’s work can be seen as an exploration of the body’ visceral presence, where the hair – often associated with intimate, person moments – evokes a range of emotions. By positioning the hair on paper, Cutajar creates a dialogue between the natural and the artificial, with hair standing in for themes of growth, memory and identity. It echoes Freudian ideas of fetishism and bodily fragments, while also engaging with Lacanian concepts of the objet petit a- the unattainable desire.
The sparse composition emphasises the hair’s fragility, inviting the viewer to contemplate the tension between form, material, and narrative. Each hair serves as a marker of personal history, allowing the artwork to operate on both physical and pschological levels. The seemingly simple gesture of placing hair on paper opens up complex discussion about the body, time, and the residue of human experience.
