Marthe Huyse Extending The Body

Can you describe your research project?

My project dives into the body as a site for gathering and reinterpreting diverse histories of body extensions. I’m interested in the self as a constant process, where identity is never fixed. Body extensions encourage us to actively engage in deconstructing knowledge and those pesky binary structures that often box us in. I explore this in different body models,

f.e. the constructed body, which highlights the ever-evolving nature of our identities, or the clothed body, which untangles attire and disobedient dress, or the expressive body, making room for theories and perspectives from women and queer artists, using their bodies as tools. By reordering narratives around the body, I aim to challenge conventional perspectives and highlight the complexities of how we present ourselves and interact with others.

Why have you chosen this topic?

I’ve always had a fascination with the exterior of the body and how we communicate without words. During my time studying graphic design, I found myself drawn to the body as a cultural entity. A pivotal moment was reading Marianne Wex’s Let’s Take Back Our Space, which pushed me to explore the representation of women and queer identities in art. Then I stumbled upon Luanda Casella’s play, The Killjoy Quiz, which opened the door to Sara Ahmed’s work on the killjoy figure. The killjoy is a fascinating character who disrupts the happiness narrative we often cling to. She challenges harmful ideologies and is often seen as the party pooper, but I think she’s a hero! My research evolved from examining internal aspects of the body to a broader exploration of how body extensions can serve as acts of resistance in gender theory, body politics, and more.

What research methods do you use?

My research employs a mix of methodologies, grounded in my background in graphic design. Collecting and gathering visual narratives is central, along with participatory workshops where participants act as co-researchers. I create (wearable) carriers to facilitate dialogue on body extensions, using prompts and visuals to fuel discussions. I also explore five body models—uninhibited, constructed, clothed, expressive, and extended—drawing connections to thinkers like Sara Ahmed, Judith Butler, Paul B. Preciado, Emma Dabiri and more. By integrating various texts and images, I aim to unearth shared practices that reveal new ways of understanding how bodies extend across different contexts.

In what way did your research affect your artistic practice?

This research has been super influential for my artistic practice, it’s helped me see the body as a site of knowledge and made me gain lots of confidence within using my own body and inspiring others to do the same. I’ve been collecting images of artists extending their bodies, creating a visual narrative that celebrates transformative processes. It’s like piecing together a puzzle where each part reflects our fragmented identities.

Likewise, this research has also shifted my perspective on design. Instead of pushing for the next new thing, I’m focused more on durability and collectivity—celebrating what’s already out there together rather than constantly reinventing the wheel individually. It feels refreshing to acknowledge and work with existing histories and theories, especially in graphic design where the pressure to innovate can be overwhelming.

What are you hoping your research will result in, both personally and publicly?

On a personal level, I hope my research activates conversations about history and how we perceive and treat different bodies. I want to get people thinking critically about their interactions through the lens of ‘self’ and ‘other’. Publicly, I aim to promote inclusivity and acceptance, and after publishing my first book called ‘Extending The Body’, I’m eager to share my findings with a wider audience. I’d love to engage in discussions with diverse artists, theorists and researchers and collaborate on projects that dive deeper into these themes. Overall, more tactile experiences, more disciplinary crossovers and more growing plants of the seeds I planted with this research.