Rebecca Swainston  at  The Modern Artists Gallery until February 2008

1987-88    MA Fine Art, Chelsea School of Art
1984-87    BA First class Hons Printmaking, Winchester School of Art
1983-84    Foundation in A&D, Brighton Polytechnic

Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.  Pablo Picasso  1881-1973

 

Rebecca Swainston  translates her  paintings from a personal narrative recorded in sketchbooks.    'Woman Holding Another Version of Herself''   translates to me as: The artist as a mother holding on to her daughter who is fast becoming a replica of herself at that age, and is maybe wanting to hold on to her for a little longer.  Perhaps concerned about the freedom her daughter now requires - and at the same time remembering her own freedom at that time.

This is one of the reasons I  find Rebecca Swainston's work so intriguing. There is always a possible theory behind  each piece.  The artist does not have to explain and we would not ask.

Zoom into the images and enjoy the mass colour trip going on in this work.  If  each painting was cut into four or more sections, one would have four or more great paintings. Peggy Brodie 2007

"Invariably the figures in my paintings are female and there is a tangible sexuality, which though not explicit, brings a tension to the work.
Animals carry psychological aspects of people, which are socially frowned upon and are often hidden.
The images are intricate and beautiful and these seductive qualities allow the work to carry a more uncomfortable message and atmosphere.
A girl lifts her voluminous skirt over a sheep:is she protecting it; smothering it; or is there a more carnal intent in her gesture"?       Rebecca Swainston