The bedspreads used in ‘The Nest’ represent a particular age during childhood due to my own associations, but they do not represent the past. They point towards some inner aspect of the viewer who is still that age, even while they might be, biologically, much older. One of the traits of this child-aspect is vulnerability, and the intensity of the longing to be parented.
The imagery on the bedspreads is that of open-mouthed baby birds, always larger than human scale, to capture the sense of urgency and intensity. The actual birds’ nests are never represented in the works, shifting that function to the bedspreads.
(click/tap images to view in full-screen slideshow)
Nest I
2010, acrylic on bedspread, 280 x 234 cm (110” x 92”)
Nest I (detail)
2010, acrylic on bedspread, 280 x 234 cm (110” x 92”)
Nest I (detail)
2010, acrylic on bedspread, 280 x 234 cm (110” x 92”)
Nest II
2010, acrylic on bedspread, 239 x 183 cm (94” x 72”)
Nest II (detail)
2010, acrylic on bedspread, 239 x 183 cm (94” x 72”)
Nest II (detail)
2010, acrylic on bedspread, 239 x 183 cm (94” x 72”)
Nest III
2010, acrylic on bedspread, 254 x 229 cm (100” x 90”)
Nest III (detail)
2010, acrylic on bedspread, 254 x 229 cm (100” x 90”)
Nest IV
2010, acrylic on bedspread, 285 x 198 cm (112” x 78”)
Nest IV (detail)
2010, acrylic on bedspread, 285 x 198 cm (112” x 78”)
Nest V
2010, acrylic on bedspread, 267 x 241 cm (105” x 95”)
Nest V (detail)
2010, acrylic on bedspread, 267 x 241 cm (105” x 95”)
