Observation 2: Stripped bare Artwork

Bernadine Anning, born in 1980, is a multi-media artist residing and working remotely in Far North Queensland. Influenced by esteemed artists Francis Bacon, Maya Bloch, and Judy Chicago, she employs a therapeutic approach to her art, exploring the surreal and employing layered techniques of colour, line, and shape. Within Bernadine's artwork, she weaves an intricate web of desires and demonstrative emotions, reflecting the depths of the human experience. She reacts to the perpetual confusion of everyday life, perceiving it as absurd and delving into the disarray and dis-ease of existence. Each work is an opportunity for Bernadine to gain increasing clarity and insight into her own experiences. In a remote area plagued by alcoholism and toxic masculinity, Bernadine finds solace in her studio. From this environment emerges a cacophony of noise and reckless painting, a response to the dulled existence of the town's inhabitants. While the skies are bright and the water crystal clear, beneath the surface lies a murky world, similar to the mangroves filtering impurities from the water—a metaphor for her creative process. Bernadine's art is characterized by blurred lines, flickering illuminations, and dirty colours, representing her unique understanding of the world. She challenges the societal expectations placed on females, seeking to celebrate the visceral, primordial strength of women untouched by heteronormative observation. Bernadine questions the human gaze. However, she discovers her artistic calling within the flow of blood and amniotic fluid, embracing the transformative power of bearing life. Additionally, Bernadine explores the celebrities within her town, examining the codes and entanglements that shape her own narrative as a woman. She fiercely responds to the judgments and implicit verdicts passed by these figures, expressing her rage and inner turmoil through her art. The canvas becomes a conduit for her otherworldly expressions, a space where she can unleash her shrieks and gift the world with her unique offerings. Bernadine Anning's artistic journey encapsulates a profound exploration of emotions and narratives. Her works challenge societal constructs, provoke introspection, and reclaim the strength and beauty of the feminine spirit. Through her art, she seeks to transcend boundaries and ignite conversations about gender, power, and identity.