Three women painters re-telling the story of art to create narratives through the languages of painting, in three very different applications of paint.
Rebecca Scott observes representations of women in Vogue Magazines which pedal an idealized notion of the female. The clothing, the fashion, the make-up, the look and the life style, are all represented in the magazine. Her response is using the language of painting through the lens of Richter and Polke, Fischl and Morley by defacing the copy and directly scribbling onto the detailed paintings of the magazine pages. For example, ‘Vogue Capriccio After Marlene Dumas’, takes the pose of the fashion model and invites the reading of the provocateur as the model teases the viewer.
Stella Whalley also references the forced poses of fashion models and early erotic poses women were uncomfortably subjected to by their male directors. In a series of watercolours that blend figurative and abstract elements creating a fluid interplay between the subjects and their imagined environments. This performativity invites viewers to question the authenticity and intent behind these images, prompting a deeper reflection on the nature of the gaze and the power dynamics it perpetuates.
Wendy Elia’s paintings delves into complex themes of oppression, surveillance, and the reinterpretation of historical narratives through contemporary lenses. The setting is described as an oppressive architectural environment reminiscent of Piranesi’s brutal architecture, creating a sense of entrapment and constant surveillance via cameras and drones. This backdrop serves to amplify the tension experienced by the two female protagonists, echoing the themes of Judith and her maidservant from Artemisia Gentileschi’s works.
These three painters are reusing the language to tell a different story, which still needs to be told.
| Duration | 07 September 2024 - 05 October 2024 |
| Times | Thursday to Saturday, 12-5pm |
| Cost | Free |
| Venue | Vestry Street |
| Address | Floor 1, 6-8 Vestry Street, , London, N1 7RE |
| Contact | 447765830386 / gallery@crosslaneprojects.com / www.crosslaneprojects.com/ |