Description
Presented by: Nadia Kotova Gallery
Listen to the audio description of this artwork:
As a young female artist , I am drawn to the question of femininity and how it is understood and represented in our culture today and I find much of the visual inspiration in the contemporary fashion and the enigma that follows it. Looking closely at fashion, which can be reflective of the time, I am particularly interested in how some garments can be ‘shields and mirrors’ to quote Helene Cixous from her ‘Sonia Rykiel in Translation’ essay. Quite often the characters of my work are found wearing men’s or unisex clothes, or the clothes are almost too big, the body is hidden. I wonder, if that makes them any less feminine. Yet, there is a certain self-awareness and calmness about their poses, they are in control of the gaze of the viewer and have a sense of autonomy. It may be that what I try to paint is a space where states of vulnerability and power exist at the same time. Textures, color and materiality of their clothing allow me to investigate that further while being engaged with painting on a formal level. Much of it is about ‘figuring it out’ and trying to make sense of the world, but ultimately, the goal is to create a work that has a life of its own.