With no difference in spelling or pronunciation, the Swedish word "gift", (pronounced 'yift') means both 'poison' and 'married'. I thought the translation appropriate to this piece which investigates the dynamics of relationships of any type, and the dynamic that so often arises of a passive and aggressive role.

Humans are defined through their relationships with others, and, similarly can come to percieve themselves differently, for better or for worse, through the perception of others.

In this piece, the two individuals are joined at the head with a zipper, symbolizing their mutual and voluntary involvement in the relationship. Through the use of velcro, applied to only one of the bodies, a division arises. Though both can initiate interaction, the aggressor (with velcro) can distort and change the body of the passive other, though they themselves become similarly entangled, and do not remain unaffected.

Photographs by Jessica Clements