Karen Byrne’s current work explores the use of language to constrain human behaviour and shape societal responses. Her interests lie in the policing of behaviour through language and stereotypic media portrayals in particular as it relates to sexuality and body image. Sometimes humorous in expression, she has given form to words making real what is expressed verbally, highlighting meaning and through humour and surprise diffusing the ability to hurt and control.
Byrne’s practice encompasses sculptural work in stitch and textiles along with drawing, mixed media including print, video and installation.
The gold spandex of this piece ‘Like Other Girls’ suggests glamour and luxury but with ‘trashy’ suggestions of excess form and overt sexuality. Its use with the words ‘slag’ and ‘slut’ invites us to reflect on the pressures to be glamorous and sexy but remain socially acceptable.
In this piece ‘Tones Are Muffled’ the harsh controlling sounds of ‘cunt’ are softened literally in form and then trapped but visible to allow examination. Vivid and disquieting they become distant and powerless.
Works for Sale:
‘Like Other Girls’, Gold polyester spandex and wadding, 415 x 150 x 15
(but varies), NFS
‘Tones Are Muffled’, Lycra, cotton and wool jersey, horsehair, linen thread, perspex cube, 30 x 30 x 30cm – NFS.
Images and Text © Karen Byrne.
Modern Eccentrics 
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