FOLK

The paintings are derived in the first instance from photographic sources, stock photography, newspapers, magazines etc. they are transformed into their ‘own’ personas through a ritual of painting techniques and deliberate transformations of form, whether it be the head, clothing or background. All the figures/portraits are eventually imagined through fantasy and imagination.

The paintings are sourced from people unknown to me which enables me to create portraits with a humorous element as an entry into the work from where they can discover a darker side of their personalities. The facial technique allows for a variety of ideas to come through which include a n emotional detachment, and a tragi-comic element which in turn free's me to create personas with a degree of strangeness. some works with historic referencing like ‘Magnolia’ and ‘Authentic’, which are a comment on aspects of acceptability in society. The face technique also implies a level of false dignity or pompous self-deprecation for the character. The work ultimately is a response to a media saturation of the self, political correctness and historical reference to the portrait.

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Ian Healy
January 2008

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