This piece, along with two accompanying pieces (Sheepskin Experiment and Goatskin Experiment), represents the palimpsestic process of making parchment. The series investigates how different animal species react to preparation and how the quality of an animal’s life before slaughter is reflected in its skin after death. From afar, these pieces are blank canvases. Up close, viewers can glean anatomical information from the skin.

Calfskin Experiment is part of Madison’s MFA thesis exhibition, Glimpsing Mirrors. The work is about internal dialogue, isolation, and loneliness.