| This series of work reflects upon my fascination with life's transience by juxtaposing skeletons, anatomy and the human body in a variety of painted narratives. Utilizing a broad range of figurative styles; from realistic depictions of skeletons and anatomy - to abstracted floating figures representative of a spiritual realm. The power and beauty of the human body has always been a source of inspiration to me. The predominant focus of my work is about understanding anatomy; studying the skeleton, the musculature and the morphology of the flesh. To consider how the bones and the masses of the muscles below the surface of the skin modify the external forms of the model and help create the shape, outline and perception of the body. As in music, they are the notes and phrases of my composition. And in order to play them, I must be familiar with their structure and functions. Another theme to be explored is my passion for music. Recently, I have been on a journey learning to read and understand music while combining it into cohesive works of art. I have been studying how the visual pattern of notations on sheet music can impart mathematical and universal concepts, which I yearn to fuse within my work. My artistic endeavor is to work out compositions with an ordered arrangement of musical notes, symbols and spaces to create a framework upon which figures and skeletons dance in an ethereal atmosphere. The skeleton has been standard equipment in artist studios and academies since the Renaissance to the present day. Artists have used the skeleton and various anatomical images in a whole range of symbolic artworks dealing with religious or classical allegories of death. The skeleton reflects my ideas of transformation, personifying the memento mori or the symbolism pertaining to the transience of life. Painting on sails was an idea that developed with the concept for an installation of large scale works which surround the body, and give an enveloping physical presence. I have been experimenting with painting on both sides creating a layering effect through the sailcloth which adds depth and translucency, and allowing intuition and emotion to pervade through expressive fields of color. In conclusion, I shall continue to gain insight, wisdom and inspiration from the infinite study of the human body. "The body is our common denominator and the stage for our pleasures and our sorrows. I want to express through it who we are, how we live and die." -Kiki Smith |