Rococo Sisters oil on canvas 152x152cm, is the largest painting in my new solo exhibition “Rococo”. The show is about to open on the 3rd February and runs throughout February into March at The Doorway Gallery, 24 South Frederick Street Dublin 2.
Image source: Traditional Indian Textiles by John Gillow and Nicholas Barnard
The idea for this painting came about many years ago when I first came across this photograph, of 3 women sat together, in my Traditional Indian Textile book, that I often refer to for inspiration. I always thought of these Bengali women as sisters, they are so enigmatic and beautiful, with all of their finery merging together as a single unit. For many years I have tried to paint a composition with 3 seated figures connected, yet in context with their surroundings, and Rococo gave me such an opportunity. When I was collecting research material for Rococo, I came across this film still of the Marie Antionette cast on set, and immediately my Indian ladies were recalled to mind.
I have included some working drawings from my sketch book, that show how I worked out this composition, the actual specific details and actual colour combinations would have been worked out on the finished painting, a scary thought I know! A bit like diving head first into cold water, except in this case, its preferable to keep the eyes open!! 
No comments:
Post a Comment