‘Come a Little Closer’

The exhibition ‘Come a Little Closer’ refers to the physical and the personal act of the title.

The scale of work ranges in size, which pulls the audience closer as the scale decreases to inspect. While also offering a personal invitation into my world, friends, places and objects I feel aesthetically drawn too. 

Hand held mirror motifs adorn paintings like frames, a symbol of vanity and femininity, questioning and illuminating the historical symbolism of mirrors within art. So often told in tropes of condiment. But what does it really mean to understand the power of beauty. As John Berger quotes in his book ‘Ways of seeing’ “You painted a naked woman because you enjoyed looking at her, put a mirror in her hand and you called the painting “Vanity,” thus morally condemning the woman whose nakedness you had depicted for you own pleasure.”

This statement sparked my curiosity and lead to my own investigation seen in the series. The hand-held mirror became a symbol I wanted to redefine in awareness of my own vanity. Pretty paintings of pretty things I see, not to condemn but respect. To own one’s beauty and to seek beauty in the world without diminishing its intelligence.