The power of mythology, whether it has its roots in an ancient lost world where the supernatural was natural or through the post-modern mystery-free world of commercialism and media-hype, is still a potent force indeed. In ‘Bacchus to Barbie’ Signal Gallery is presenting four contemporary mythical visions by Iain Andrews, Elinor Evans, Sue Vesely and Cathy Watkins - from the strange distorted echoes of Titians’ Bacchus and Ariadne, to the divine image of Barbie on all fours with her ass in the air.
Cathy Watkins
American Beauty I
25 x 30cm
Cathy Watkins, who now lives in Cornwall, defies the hefty artistic legasy of St Ives by drawing inspiration from material of a apparently more whimsical nature, that of childrens toys. In particular she has focussed on the study of sexualised toys such as the Bratz dolls and Barbie. In fact for the artists these toys have come to symbolise the corrosive way in which the female form is presented within our culture. Poor Barbie is unable to stand unaided and is incapable of closing her legs while sitting. The artist depicts her in all her ridiculousness, humourously but always with pity. Cathy studied at Portsmouth College of Art 1979-1981 and at Goldsmith’s College of Art 1981- 1984. She has produced work in a variety of media and exhibited widely. London venues include The Photographer’s Gallery, The Royal Academy, Cork Street and The Royal College. She has received a variety of awards as well as being nominated for the prestigeous Whitechapel award. Since moving to Cornwall in 2003 she has continued to exhibit her work in London and Cornwall.
more work by Cathy Watkins
Sue Vesely
Figurehead
120 x 92cm
Sue Vesely follows the age old tradition of creating narrative through her paintings. For her the figure symbolizes emotions in a post-freudian manner rather than the mythical/religious events or situations of older masters. She depicts these fleshy seductive and sometimes winged bodies from many angles to suggest the convoluted range of human emotional life. Her figures appear monumental and at the same time
dwarfed by the fantasy landscape they inhabit, which is both familiar and antique. Sue was born in Birmingham, England in 1953. She obtained her degree in Fine Art from the Heart of England University in Birmingham in 1977. She then went to the Royal College of Art in London and obtained an MA from the painting school in 1981. She has exhibited extensively in the Midlands and in London. Her works are in
numerous public and private collections both in the UK and abroad.
more work by Sue Vesely
Iain Andrews
Such Sweet, Sweet Sorrow
40 x 40 cm
Iain Andrews strongly believes that the post-modernist art world has largely forsaken notions of continuity and values in favour of restless innovation. When connections with past traditions are made they are softcore and can reek of nostalgia. For him respecting and understanding these traditions and the narratives that surround them are fundamental to the health of cultural development and fruitfulness. In his paintings we find a series of creative duels between images from art history and the stylistic fluidity of today. His beautiful works appear delicately bruised and twisted by this encounter with the past. Iain studied painting at Sheffield University and University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. He has had solo shows in the midlands and northwest England and numerous group shows both in the UK and abroad. He has works in numerous private collections in the UK and has completed large-scale commissions for St. Paul’s Church, Walsall and Trinity High School, Manchester, where he is currently Artist in residence and an Art Psychotherapist.
more work by Iain Andrews
Elinor Evans
A Perfect Match
80 x 60 cm
For Elinor Evans a special relationship exists between animals and ourselves, beyond the artifice of human societies. She uses animals in her works to symbolize an innocence of interaction so often absent from human relationships. The use of animal masks and the naked figure in her works disturbingly, yet seductively drives home her point, while suggesting some ancient ritual is in progress or about to happen. Elinor studied at Chelsea College of Art (BA) and the Royal College of Art (MA). She now lives in Spain and has shown in that country. She has also exhibited widely in the UK and had a solo show at The Apartment in 2006. A number of her works are to be found in public collections in her native Wales, including the Welsh Museum and National Welsh Assembly, Cardiff.
more work by Elinor Evans
