The New York-based airbrusher uses body paint to make statements on women’s rights and the hypersexualisation of their bodies
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Most of SFX airbrush artist Mab’s work involves in-your-face hypersexual depictions of women’s bodies. Butt cheeks turned into anime titties, Striplink-inspired lingerie, and skin-tight coochie cutters airbrushed onto naked skin are all common features in her portfolio. It’s work that is so over-exaggeratedly sexual that it becomes satire, a way of ridiculing how women’s bodies are so often depicted as sexual objects. “The overarching message behind my work is a commentary on society’s perception of women’s bodies and their rights,” Mab states.
Born and raised in Connecticut, the 25-year-old first started her career after being given an airbrush machine as a gift. “Airbrushing was actually pushed on to me,” she tells Dazed. “When I first used it I was so frustrated because it was not easy to control, but I continued to learn the machine and was soon able to dominate it and be in control.” Now, she combines traditional airbrushing techniques with mixed media (using make-up brands like Mehron Makeup), to paint otherworldly animations that spotlight just how absurd and surreal hypersexualisation can be.
“Airbrushing allows me to blur the boundaries between the tangible and the ethereal, the body and the fabric,” Mab explains. “By airbrushing clothing directly onto women’s bodies and bodies onto clothing, I metaphorically explore how women, especially women of colour, navigate the weight of societal expectations while remaining unapologetically themselves.” Here, she shares more about her work.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and where you grew up?
Mab: As a child, I was often described as being very dramatic. I loved hosting my own talent shows. I remember singing Alicia Keys songs with my play keyboard and mic hookup and playing dress up using my mom’s sarong as my evening gown.
What are you trying to communicate through your work?
Mab: My art embodies the essence of my identity and experiences. It aims to challenge societal perceptions, while also celebrating sexiness, resilience, and strength. My work fuses traditional techniques with contemporary mediums, creating a dynamic narrative that captures the multifaceted nature of Black womanhood.
What’s been your career highlight so far?
Mab: My career highlight has to be working with the Clermont Twins, they’re absolutely the baddest! Showing myself that I can creative direct alongside producing and painting two girls at once, in just six hours, definitely boosted my confidence in my career.
What’s your earliest beauty-related memory?
Mab: My earliest beauty-related memory is getting into my mom‘s purse, finding her red Mac lipstick, and smudging all over my face.
Describe your beauty aesthetic in three words.
Mab: Audacious, alluring, curvaceous.
Which fictional character do you most relate to?
Mab: I think I’m relatable to Michiko from Michiko and Hatchin because I am usually the centre of attention. I’m hot and very competitive as a woman. Not only do I like to get what I want, but I’m super-adventurous. I’m usually not scared to get what I want.
Who is your beauty icon?
Mab: Rihanna, her hair has always been such a big inspiration for me. Style-wise, I’ll have to say Lil’ Kim. Swag-wise, I’ll have to say Eve.
When do you feel most beautiful?
Mab: I feel most beautiful when I present myself the way I want to be seen – for me, that is with my nails done, hair done, everything did.
Tomorrow you wake up with another face of your choice. Whose is it and why?
Mab: My face but with Rihanna’s top lip and Teyana Taylor’s cheekbones.
You’ve opted to be cryogenically frozen in hopes of continuing the human race. When you’re awoken it’ll be your responsibility to kick-start the breeding. How will you wear your hair on your first date?
Mab: I am bald – like, I don’t have time to be worried about my hair. I need to be ready to start breeding, like breed me! Or I’m straight having a bonnet on and the big mother-tied-up scarf. That’s what it’s giving.
You’ve had an accident that causes you to lose your sense of smell. The doctors can’t return it fully but can give you the ability to smell one scent. What do you pick?
Mab: Easy: baby powder.
