Strapped: the Art of the Decorated Jockstrap at LCC in January
Colin Corbett’s work focuses on the taboo attraction of the male member in ways that are both surprising and provocative in an exhibition at London College of Communication (LCC), open to the public from Monday 19th January 2009.
His different variations of the jockstrap are humorous and inspired by different cultural themes from Ancient Greece to world religion.
Colin Corbett was born in Hawick, Scotland, Colin Corbett earned an MA in Informational Design from Leicester Polytechnic.
He has worked in various design agencies in Soho, created iconic underground posters for the Victoria & Albert Museum and taught design in the UK & USA.
Corbett, who is also a noted wedding cake designer, is currently based in London.
Colin Corbett, artist, said:
What I find interesting about the jockstrap is the correlation between ‘macho’ and ‘camp’, I had a stock phrase for anyone who looked uncomfortable, ‘oh, he’s got his diamante jockstrap on inside out.’
I’d never seen a diamante jockstrap. Finally I made one and it caused such mirth, I expanded to other designs using rhinestones (Jewel Support series) and masks (Masked Ball).
Corbett’s work makes strong statements about men – a ‘fisting’ jockstrap made from red bandanas and ‘army’, covered with gun-toting ‘my weapon is bigger than yours’ soldiers.
The mock medieval Cum-A-Lot is alarmingly regal: family jewels shielded by a plumed coat of arms.
Silk flowers such as ‘Orchid’ echo the ancient meaning of the plant , the word ‘orchis’, Greek for testicle, which the ancients deemed the flower of magnificence.
‘Purple orchid’ is slang for the male member. The Chinese associate the flower with ‘perfect man’.
Through his travels, Corbett discovered the potency of religious iconography, producing the ‘Saints’ jockstrap covered with medallions from Christian religious sites, mainly in Naples.
The sadus, holy men who frequent the Hindu temples of India, provide the basis for a jockstrap covered in Hindu Gods.
The cobalt blue Turkish ‘Evil Eyes’ (Evil Eye-Balls) is a protector of men.
Colin Corbett said:
‘Saints’ isn’t miles away from early religious paintings where the focus can be quite homoerotic. The eye is drawn to the chiaroscuro of the loincloth.
Exhibition details:
‘STRAPPED: The Art of the Decorated Jockstrap’
Open to public: Monday 19 January – Friday 30 January 2009, 10.00am – 6.00pm
Venue: Eckersley Gallery, London College of Communication, Elephant & Castle, SE1 6SB
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