Artist Trap

Tracey Emin has established a distinctive, unapologetic voice in her work by creating art that is intuitive, honest, and intimate. Her work is often confrontational, directly addressing her thoughts and experiences, and pushing the boundaries of what is considered “art.” Tracey Emin creates for the purpose of self expression, her pieces serving as uncensored documentation of her struggles, successes, hopes, and fears. Through art, Emin captures a wide range of moments, feelings, and ideas, all creating a sense of vulnerability as they reveal an intimate part of the artist. While some of her work, like “My Bed,” and “Do Not Abandon Me Here,” shows the emotional process of heartbreak and depression, other pieces such as “Is Anal Sex Legal?” and “Everyone I have Ever Slept With 1963-1995,” show her humorous and honest personality.

When making my artist trap, I was inspired by Emin’s courage to take risks, work intuitively, and make herself vulnerable through her work. I wanted a to create a trap that was confrontational, and prompted the user to engage with the work in ways that might make them feel vulnerable or uncomfortable. Inspired by Emin’s work dealing with sexuality and female experience, I decided to create a felt vagina. By attaching it to a box labeled “What’s in the Box,” I incorporated my sense of humor and encourage my artist and classmates to interact with the work. Because the only way to find out what’s in the box is through the vagina, my trap tricks people into fingering a fake coochie, only to find there is nothing in the box. My trap is successful because it peaks curiosities- the material and structure leave people wanting to fully experience the work by fingering it. A humorous and innuendo trick like this would most definitely appeal to Tracey Emin.