shape shift ” def: In mythology, folklore and speculative fiction, shapeshifting is the ability to physically transform through an inherently superhuman ability, divine intervention, demonic manipulation, sorcery, spells or having inherited the ability”.
The shape I have been shifting around in my body, since the start of the pandemic, down my arm and through various tools, came from the corner of an El Greco painting, The Vision of St John. I’ve carried an image of this painting around for years, transferring to each new studio book. The corner contains two tumbling cherubs; together their bodies form a strange and lively shape.
Over the course of this year the work has moved through my studio, two residencies and back to the studio. During that journey I had an opportunity to work with a dancer, a performance artist and a poet – all of which had an affect on the evolving freedom of the work and a deconstruction of the pictorial plane.
Mixing it up: This is an ongoing project in which I’ll work with/collaborate with more artists and practices.
- Shapeshifters from The Vision of St John, 20 x 27 cms, oils on primed satin
- caught on a wing 110 x 130 cms, oils on satin
- assemble, dimensions variable
- shapeshifter ii, 180 x 150 cms, oils on primed silk
- shapeshifter ii, detail of edge
- shapeshifter ii
- earthbound, 160 x 150 cms oils on silk
- incident, 180 x 150 silk panel, oils, stool
- shape shifters – off the rack 160 x 150 cms oils on silk
- off the rack – exhibition view
- off the rack – exhibition view
- assemble, dimensions variable
- working with Alice Smith, dancer
- Alice Smith, 3 x panels 180 x 150 cms, oils on silk
- Alice Smith, 3 x panels 180 x 150 cms, oils on silk
- Alice Smith, 3 x panels 180 x 150 cms, oils on silk
- Alice Smith, 3 x panels 180 x 150 cms, oils on silk
- support, two panels, oils on silks
- shapeshifting in the dark, 180 x 130 cms oils on silk, netting
- shapeshifting in the dark, off the rack
- boned, 200 x 150 cms, oils on silk