Gemma Anderson

Gemma Anderson Research

  I decided to look at the work of Gemma Anderson after it was recommended to me by Elanor, in reference to my proposal on printed pictures. Because I wanted to look at animal anatomy, based on wanting to push my work that includes detail and likeness into something more meaningful and interesting to specific audiences. 

  The specific work was 'Portraits: Patients and Psychiatrists' 

- It consisted of 16 Etchings of Psychiatrists and their patients. (2009/10)

 Gemma Anderson explores themes of Medical phenomena such as neurosis, phobias, traumas, disability, disease and injury. I looked at the PDF document on her website:  Portraits: Patients and Psychiatrists, by Gemma Anderson, Wellcome Trust Arts Award 2010

This book noted that the etchings depicted that the "figures are surrounded by a rank jungle of artefacts" using "graphic means to represent the invisible: unseen torments inside the disturbed mind" The artist invited them to suggest objects that they felt were important, and drew them within their portraits. This is really interesting to me, because the medical illustrations are relative to the anatomical work i've been looking at for my prints.  It is said in the book that "Gemma anderson is a portrait artist of a most unusual kind, with the respect to the media she uses, the subject matter of her work, and the manner in which she approaches it"  

It's inspiring what she does to make her practice so original and notable - in the way her portraits are.

These quotes are interesting: 

"the objects that accompany the sitter are intensely personal - their significance has been established through conversations between her and the sitter." 

 - "Viewers require additional information beyond the print its self in front of them" - Not told if we are looking at the patient or not, both of these points mean we have to look deeper into the picture to find an understanding of the person. 

"Her sitters encourage a sense that we are being given privileged access to complex mental processes, including fantasy." This is also relatable to the reason I chose this direction in the first place - the way that normal parts of life - Animals are chosen within the story (Stardust) to hold the power of fortune telling if we look into them (literally)! By looking at their anatomy.

The etchings are simply beautiful, I love the colours and the composition of all of the elements.

This work relates well to my practice, I'm constantly trying to bring other elements to my portrait work, and this is an approach I could try.