Thomas Barbey, Urban Offering 2000-2001,
Masquerade 1988-2001.
Anyone studying the sequence will probably first consider the
series as a document devoted to one man's decision to tattoo his
body in distinctive stages. But then we have to ask ourselves if
this literal, physical transformation actually took place – or has
Christopher, making use of new technologies, superimposed
or 'engraved' these changes himself? And if he has, to what
extent are his own changes in keeping with the original image
or deviating from it? No matter how we answer that question,
there is also a transformation associated with power and with
ethnicity. The first image and the two that follow make a
strong visual case for the subject as 'master,' especially given the
tattooing that resembles a helmet around the subject's head.
But at a particular stage – in the sixth image – the helmet
HYLAND
