‘Murmurings of the Skin’ is an exploration of the human connection to the body, the intersection of bodies and technology and the human need for physical contact. Over nearly eight years, Olivia Arthur has been making work that looks at people’s relationship with their bodies, what it means to feel comfortable in one’s own skin, and the importance of touch and intimacy. This work has included a series about young people, physicality and sexuality, stability and robotics, about touch, gestures, and solitude in COVID times. The work was triggered by her own pregnancy and the birth of her two children, images of whom appear throughout the series.
“It’s rare to see an artist so actively observe the underlying connectors of their creative flow and map the relationally that has been recurring and reconfiguring over time. Olivia beautifully constellates imagery drawn from multiple sources into a call and response that us humans share - of our intimacies and our physicality.” — Charlotte Cotton, Curator
Olivia Arthur is a renowned British photographer and former president of Magnum Photos. Known for her intimate and thought-provoking work, she often explores themes of cultural identity, gender, and the intersection between East and West. Her projects span across continents, with notable works in India, Saudi Arabia, and Europe. Arthur is also a co-founder of Fishbar, a photography space in London, where she continues to push the boundaries of visual storytelling.