Lydia Altomare’s carefully constructed pictures are full of life, color, and eccentric characters including hats that blink, shoes that bite, and flesh colored corsets that abstractly represent intestines. Lydia’s practice includes sculpture, painting, and knitting, which transcends the boundaries of photography. In her project, Bright Grotesquerie, she crafts many popular fashion garments and gives them a new and disturbing twist. The objects feel as though they are alive, living and breathing creatures trying to possess their hosts. They consume those that wear them until they are the ones in control. This series represents themes of obsession, insecurity, and materialism and is a unique spin on critiquing the fashion industry.

  1. (Eyeball Hat), 2023–2024
    Bright Grotesquerie
    Clay, plastic eyes, felt hat, acrylic paint
  2. (Shoes)
    Bright Grotesquerie
    Clay, thrifted shoes, acrylic paint, glitter glue
    17 x 22 inches
  3. (Perfume)
    Bright Grotesquerie
    Thrifted glass bottle, rubber worms, soil
    17 x 22 inches
  4. (Corset)
    Bright Grotesquerie
    Felt, ribbon, model magic, acrylic paint
    17 x 22 inches
  5. (chair), 2023–2024
    Bright Grotesquerie
    Wooden chair, fishnets, fruit
  6. (crochet breasts), 2023–2024
    Bright Grotesquerie
    Acrylic yarn

 

Related Inspirations