CELL GALLERY
Jan. 18-29/2023
Emotive Distance (2023) is a group of oil paintings that focuses on the female form, drawing from various influences including contemporary photography and ancient European sculpture.
This series invites the viewer to mimic the stillness present in each painting, and contemplate their own inner state, starting with where they find discomfort. The intention is to enter the void through recognizing that which stands out to us about the work, and following it.
The work uses juxtaposition to evoke the intended reflective experience. Each painting is a vivid female figure suspended on a solid ground, in essence, capturing a state of tranquility.
The figures are painted in a neutral colour palette, with certain body parts intentionally missing or obscured. This is meant to relieve us of our pre-disposed notions of what we expect female bodies to look like, allowing us to embrace the piece objectively.
Apart from showcasing the beauty of the female form, my intention is to emphasize the experience of observation, and in doing so, arouse something particular to one’s character. Can the viewer uncover difficulty within and tend to it?
—
Marcia Bianchi