Thin Skin
2026
Leather, fabric, acrylic and mixed media on board
70 × 100 × 3 cm

Thin Skin explores vulnerability, exposure and the tension between protection and fragility. Stretched fabric and stitched fixings suggest a surface held in place despite strain, while cracked leather forms evoke a protective layer that has begun to fail. The contrast between concealment and revelation creates a sense of unease, as underlying spaces emerge through gaps, tears and ruptures. The work considers how experiences leave traces on both surfaces and structures, revealing the delicate boundary between resilience and fracture.

Thin Skin, a mixed-media artwork by Michelle Gow exploring vulnerability, surface tension and material fragility.
Surface detail from Thin Skin by Michelle Gow, revealing tension, fragility and wear.
Surface detail from Thin Skin by Michelle Gow, revealing tension, fragility and wear.
Surface detail from Thin Skin by Michelle Gow, revealing tension, fragility and wear.