‘Surfacing’ Art Journal

My first introduction to work by Annette Messager was during the ‘90s when she used her mother’s beautiful dresses in which to place some of her photographs and drawings.   (‘Histoire des robes’, 1991).   The dresses were of tulle, a fine, light fabric in which some images were concealed and others crudely tied to the fabric which she refers to as a ‘protective layer’.  Annette Messager has talked about her early use of veiling, with things that are ‘half covered’, transparent things.  Current publicity for her retrospective show at the Hayward gallery, London uses her image ‘Mes trophees” (1987) in which she is partially concealed by a  fragment of black lace.  I have been hooked on her work ever since.

I’ve been working recently with black net – accidental pieces  and unconnected with current concerns.  By coincidence I came across the work of artist Pip Dickens on the Axis site.  Her work is stunning.  I was initially drawn to the striking ‘Femme Fatale’ series of charcoal drawings (part of the ‘Fabrications’ project).  The ‘Fabrications’ project is informed by literary and film noir references.  In particular fabrics or clothing related to these sources and associated with female characters.  It is hardly surprising that I would be immediately attracted to this way of working and imagery.  Inspirational.  I return to her site(s) again and again.

‘Femme Fatale 1′ (2008) Charcoal drawing 33.3cm x 55.5.cm

(One of a series of 6)

Courtesy of the artist Pip Dickens MFA © 2009