Man's suit
Designer
Larry Shox
1985
Hand painted wool
Museum purchase
Object numberP85.29.1
Images of eyes and of fragmented bodies played a notable part in Surrealism – and in Lacanian psychoanalysis. Both Dali and Lacan were fascinated by the gaze and narcissism. Many contemporary psychoanalysts, such as Alessandra Lemma, argue that Lacan is too quick to insist that “the mirror lies” when it says “your body is not fragmented.” A unified image of the self may be misleading, but it is not totally false, since everyone needs a degree of “defensive narcissism.” When someone lacks a “pair of ‘rose-tinted glasses,’ a more persecutory gaze may dominate the inner world.”
DescriptionMan's suit jacket (c. 1960): blue black wool with handpainted orange, blue, gold, white and black eye motif; notched collar; vented center back seam; two-piece long sleeve with two buttons at cuff vent; front with princess waist dart and dart from underarm to flap entry hip pocket at both sides; welt entry chest pocket at left; black acetate lining with besom entry chest pockets and Eye Can See by Shox inscription in gold at left; center front three button closing. Matching pants: 3 cm. waistband with eight belt loops; back with waist darts and besom entry seat pockets; full leg tapering to 42 cm. cuffed bottoms; front with sideseam hip pockets, watch pocket at right waistband seam, and center zipper closing fly. Phonograph record with two songs relating to the Suit Workers of America: (I Have) No Shoes and SignalsExhibitions