Dummies and Dignitaries An exhibition of painting and drawing by artists Rachel Bishop Emma Henley

PRLog (Press Release) - Nov 11, 2009 -
‘Dummies and Dignitaries’ is a collaborative exhibition of painting and drawing that brings together artists Rachel Bishop and Emma Henley. Despite the stark difference between their works, similarities are found in their painting techniques; particularly the use of increased contrast as one might apply to digitally manipulated images. Lines, blocks of colour and shape give their work detail rather than highly textured skin and material. Together, the juxtaposition of viewpoints and clever use of contrast presented by this show, emphasize and explore the social differences in life between past and present.

Portraying life from the Georgian to Edwardian epoch, Rachel Bishop documents it as if she were there herself. She looks at and explores their way of living, comparing and reflecting on how people live today. Her main focus is to depict the more pleasant side to life within these past times, to demonstrate how people seemed to have had more dignity and decorum than they do nowadays.

Seemingly opposite to this view, Emma Henley’s work is a fusion of her love for cityscapes and the female figure particularly used in fashion photography and glossy magazines and the way these adverts represent the women of today. It is the contorted shapes and exposing of flesh sold to the consumer that fascinates Henley in particular.

Both artists graduated from the University of Wales, Newport in 2008 and this is their first show as professional artists. They are hoping to get their work recognised to become more widely known practitioners, to accept commissions or create more projects and show across the country.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/10410083/1