THE FEMALE SUBTEXT
NOLIA’S GALLERY, London SE1 0BL
BARBED
BARBED: The female subtext is a multi-faceted response to human behaviour and the societal norms that restrict and direct, particularly for women.
All is not what it first appears to be: a bowl of fruit is a false friend of sugar and plastic; a pot plant conceals maternal sacrifice; an unseeing eye holds abuse in its shadows. The work presents the unspoken subtext, embracing issues of vulnerability, sexuality, body image, motherhood, ageing and class legends. Everyday items morph into social critique with the repurposing of the familiar into sculptural forms, paintings and installations to reveal a paradoxical tension.
UNIFORM RESPONSE
Inspired by my daughters relating the unwanted sexual harassment they experienced wearing their school uniform and how they felt stripped bare under the male gaze. We created this work together as a challenge to the sexual harassment of underage children.
school uniform, jesmonite 60cm x 100cm
PLAIN SIGHT
Sometimes eyes glimpse but do not truly see. Terrible truths can hide in plain sight like a child that is locked in a coal cellar.
coal and toys on board 80cm tondo
MUMMA
A display of maternal sacrifice in nature. Spider plants, sometimes called “mother of millions” produce offshoots which thrive best when the plant is at its weakest.
oil on canvas 110cm x 80cm
BEING FIFTY
A reflection of the invisibility of the older woman along with an expression of how approval is required less and less with age.
oil on canvas 120cm x 80cm
FUTILITY ROOM
photo installation on canvas 102cm x 200cm
STILL HERE
My mother spent the final 15 years of her life spiralling into dementia, which was peppered with fleeting moments of lucid thought. Here is one such instance, retelling a favourite story. For a brief moment, she was still there with me in the room.
oil on canvas 3 x 26cm x 43cm
Sculpture made from fruit flavoured sweets, challenging the 5 a day mantra guilt trip.
Exploring the lies we are told and the lies we tell ourselves
FRUIT WINDUP
strawberry laces, plastic, paper lace, found pewter plate 30cm x 20cm
A IS FOR ARTIFICE
strawberry laces, plastic, paper lace 23cm x 10cm
SHADOW PLAY
Wish fulfilment piece considering how we may hold secret ideas of being someone else.
triptych oil on canvas 3 x 34cm x 34cm
