Party People ( 2001-2004 )
The ‘Party People’ series, realised between 2001 and 2004, is a collection of glitzy, flashy imagery appropriated from the events pages of glossy fashion and celebrity magazines. As a genre they can be described as society portraiture of the A-list aristocracy. The charismatic presence and movie star allure of the depicted personalities have been emphasized by the addition of details such as crystals, acrylic stones, glass beads, fabric and glitter, with a technique that imitates the preciousness of 13th and 14th century religious icons.
These individual canvases, which can be assembled into one large body of work, are the ultimate depiction of the artificial, the sparkling and the superfluous. The rough mixed technique used in the realisation, a combination of black ink, egg tempera, wax, acrylic and oil paint indicates an unwillingness to succumb to the aesthetics of digitally retouched photography bringing portraiture back into the earthly realms of painting.
Jibby, 2002. Oil, wax, pigment, acrylic, black ink, glue, fabric and acrylic stones on canvas, 95x70 cm
Sarah Jane, Spevie and John, 2002. Egg tempera, wax, pigment, oil, acrylic, black ink, glue and crystals on canvas, 45.5x56 cm
Two It Girls, 2001. Oil, wax, pigment, black ink, glue and acrylic stones on canvas, 56x45.5 cm
Tania, 2002
Egg tempera, wax, pigment, oil, acrylic, black ink, glue and crystals on canvas
45.5x25.5 cm
Harriet, Alison and Lucy, 2002. Egg tempera, wax, pigment, oil, black ink, glue, crystals, beads and acrylic jewel on canvas, 56x61 cm
Edouard, 2002. Oil, acrylic, black ink, glue and glitter on canvas, 56x45.5 cm
Edouard and Bou Bou, 2002. Egg tempera, acrylic, black ink, glue, fabric and acrylic stones on canvas, 45.5x56 cm
Naomi and Iman, 2004. Oil, black ink, acrylic, glue, glitter, acrylic stones and crystals on canvas, 95x70 cm
Cristina and Friend, 2003
Egg tempera, oil, black ink, glue, acrylic jewel and stones on canvas, 56x35.5 cm
Tatiana and Elena, 2002. Egg tempera, oil, acrylic, black ink, glue and acrylic stones on canvas, 81x56 cm
Sam, Jay, Tracey, Stella, 2004. Egg tempera, oil, silver paint, black ink, glue, fabric, paper, acrylic stones and glass beads on canvas, 45.5x86.5 cm
James and Wife, 2001
Oil, acrylic, black ink, lacquer, hair, resin, glue and acrylic stones on canvas, 56x45.5 cm
Angela, 2004. Egg tempera, wax, oil, pigment, black ink, glue, vinyl, glass and acrylic stones on canvas, 55x45 cm