Page 9 - Jessica K Ballantyne Studio Zine 2020

Figurative Paintings

his section includes available oil paintings in the theme
of the figure. Many of them deal with ‘the gaze’; in other
Twords how we look at objects, others and ourselves. But
mostly how we look at the body – particularly the female body.
In some, there are elements of voyeurism and the joy of looking:
the eroticism of being looked at. In others, there is a rejection of
the looking or a story about sexuality or sexual identity. I was
very much inspired by photographers: Hans Bellmer, Francesca
Woodman and Cindy Sherman among others.

y figures are naked to reveal them as they are, with-
out the personal identity or ego (in the form of pesky
Mclothing) getting in the way. My colours are often
surreal, which to me, reflects the powerful energy that resides
in all of us. The bodies are sometimes distorted. These are all
methods to make you more aware of the body, its sacredness,
its voluptuousness, its ability to change and grow.

lluminating the bodies with light is a method I use to show
energy: either as a thought or spirit. I’m very much inside
Ithese paintings, in some cases literally and in others spiritu-
ally. These paintings reflect aspects of mind as I have observed
it.

Butterfly
Oil on canvas
Size: 100 x 85 cm
Depth: 4 cm
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