However, upon realising the material used, the viewer’s reaction often shifts dramatically. The realisation that these delicate, beautiful pieces are made from human hair – a substance often regarded as repulsive when separated from the body – invites a sense of unease, challenging conventional perceptions of beauty and revulsion (Howley, 2011).

The hair in Howley’s work is not simply a material; it is a symbol loaded with societal, cultural, and personal connotations. It serves as a medium for her exploration of the complexities of attraction and aversion, and their interplay in our response to beauty. Hair, once detached from the body, often provokes a sense of disgust, even though it is considered an emblem of beauty, identity, and strength when it is attached to the head. This dichotomy forms the basis of Howley’s exploration in “Attraction/Aversion”.

Through this compelling work, Howley forces viewers to confront their own reactions to hair as a substance, challenging ingrained attitudes and prompting reflection on societal notions of beauty and repulsion.