LEVEL 2, THE SHED, 4 BUCKINGHAM ST
ARROWTOWN, OTAGO, 9302 NEW ZEALAND
+6421875337
MAKING FACES series
After a trip to art galleries in Europe in 2019, and particularly Spain, I have seen hundreds of portraits from the last few centuries and it has challenged me to think about the representation of women, in art, then and now. You have to remember that most of the art until recent centuries was made by men, which in itself gives a certain narrative. From the idealised goddesses in ancient Greek and Roman art, to the vain portraits of the 15th century for wealthy husbands. I am aiming to portray qualities that are valued today. I am painting my contemporary view of todays women. They are confident, knowing, serene, calm. She knows herself.
Using my technique of applying generic gold and variegated leaf on oak, these paintings are a tonal study. Using only metal leaf in these works and no paint, I have had to make up my own rules for how to create the image. There is no blending or soft edges as with paint. Due to the fickle nature of working with leaf, at times the incorrect colour has fallen onto the size….I quite like these “little accidents” and have left them where they don’t detract from the image.
The images are imagined and are of no one in particular.
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