Josephine Allen’s Ecce Femme Strength By Josephine Allen
MY EXHIBITION Figurescapes was inspired by a trip to Europe and seeing Renaissance religious art in the flesh. I love the way they use everyday people and stories of the time to illustrate social themes.
This body of work was inspired by a conversation with artist friends debating the concept of erotism verses aesthetics in Renaissance religious art. l started thinking about whether females were crucified and found they were. All the female figures are on imaginary crosses and follow the concept of Ecce Hommo (Latin for “Behold the man”), said by Pontius Pilate when he presented Jesus, crowned with thorns, to the crowd before his crucifixion.
MY EXHIBITION Figurescapes was inspired by a trip to Europe and seeing Renaissance religious art in the flesh. I love the way they use everyday people and stories of the time to illustrate social themes.
This body of work was inspired by a conversation with artist friends debating the concept of erotism verses aesthetics in Renaissance religious art. l started thinking about whether females were crucified and found they were. All the female figures are on imaginary crosses and follow the concept of Ecce Hommo (Latin for “Behold the man”), said by Pontius Pilate when he presented Jesus, crowned with thorns, to the crowd before his crucifixion.
I’ve always done works inspired by theological concepts. In between I do figurative landscapes, a lot of life drawing and other subjects. This exhibition is a way to combine all the elements without leaving the studio.
I’ve extended the concept to include the duration of time while hanging on the cross. The figures fly over the landscapes of where l live on Phillip Island and surrounds.
Most of the works have been completed over the last year with a couple of favorite older works on the theme.
I have always loved drawing the figure and have been doing life drawing since l was 16 years old, l also have a great love for nature and have spent many hours doing plein air works in various mediums.
However, the greater love for me is drawing from the mind, from inspiration, following the thread and watching the stories unfold. This makes me a figurative artist. It’s not important to me that the works are realistic but that they are emotive.
Naturally l understand that the artists’ inspiration is a launching place and that it is not necessary for the audience to have the same perception. These works can mean many things and l look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Figurescapes is at Meeniyan Art Gallery from October 3-30. Josephine Allen will be in residence at the gallery on Sunday, October 14 and 28, from 11am to 2pm.
I’ve extended the concept to include the duration of time while hanging on the cross. The figures fly over the landscapes of where l live on Phillip Island and surrounds.
Most of the works have been completed over the last year with a couple of favorite older works on the theme.
I have always loved drawing the figure and have been doing life drawing since l was 16 years old, l also have a great love for nature and have spent many hours doing plein air works in various mediums.
However, the greater love for me is drawing from the mind, from inspiration, following the thread and watching the stories unfold. This makes me a figurative artist. It’s not important to me that the works are realistic but that they are emotive.
Naturally l understand that the artists’ inspiration is a launching place and that it is not necessary for the audience to have the same perception. These works can mean many things and l look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Figurescapes is at Meeniyan Art Gallery from October 3-30. Josephine Allen will be in residence at the gallery on Sunday, October 14 and 28, from 11am to 2pm.
