Thanks so much Liz! That's kind of you: magic and mystery...yes! It's all more challenging to do than I thought — having to face the self — but I'm loving the nostalgia, discovering Celia Paul and having some space to reflect. Have you read the Celia Paul memoirs?
I’ve read Self-Portrait, and have Letters to Gwen John on my to read pile. I’ve not yet found the internal spaciousness to start the Gwen book. It feels vast and meditative, and that’s not quite been my mood.
I haven't read them, I've ordered them from the library, and looking forward to exploring her words and mind a little more. I love how she describes the still, quiet qualities of creativity, I need to hear that at the moment!
That brilliant photo of Bananarama reminds me of the Visible Girls project by Anita Corbin, where she photographed women in 1980s subcultures, capturing their look and spirit. In the 2010s she began locating the "girls" again and recreating the photos! I feel like you'd love this project. An interview here: https://www.museumofyouthculture.com/visiting-the-visible-girls-with-anita-corbin/
I love your piece Gemma.
The Face was such a brilliant magazine! I kept a stack of them for decades, it took me ages to part with them.
The Celia Paul in the NPG is such a jewel. How wonderful that you later found a whole gallery filled with her work.
I love that you are regularly giving yourself painting and photography magic and mystery.
It feels like light.
Thanks so much Liz! That's kind of you: magic and mystery...yes! It's all more challenging to do than I thought — having to face the self — but I'm loving the nostalgia, discovering Celia Paul and having some space to reflect. Have you read the Celia Paul memoirs?
I’ve read Self-Portrait, and have Letters to Gwen John on my to read pile. I’ve not yet found the internal spaciousness to start the Gwen book. It feels vast and meditative, and that’s not quite been my mood.
Have you read them?
I haven't read them, I've ordered them from the library, and looking forward to exploring her words and mind a little more. I love how she describes the still, quiet qualities of creativity, I need to hear that at the moment!
Your original post drew me back to her, so now I’m reading Letters to Gwen John! Big thank you Gemma! Glad that you have ordered them both.
Love this!
Thank you so much! Third time lucky...!
Beautiful Gemma. So good to read about the power of paint to still the looker, to reveal the looker. I live for that.
Ah, that means a lot coming from you Sophie. Paintings definitely won over the photographs this time.
That brilliant photo of Bananarama reminds me of the Visible Girls project by Anita Corbin, where she photographed women in 1980s subcultures, capturing their look and spirit. In the 2010s she began locating the "girls" again and recreating the photos! I feel like you'd love this project. An interview here: https://www.museumofyouthculture.com/visiting-the-visible-girls-with-anita-corbin/