How It Can Be Painting

Henrietta's work has taken a dramatic change of direction over the last two years, instigated by studying for an MA in painting at Plymouth College of Art. Recent work - 'Does It Make You Chuckle Borthers?', stands as a response to witnessed interactions and occurrences within the visual and experiential elements of human connection leading to the exploration of homasociality and in particular, how men relate to one another socially and intimately as witnessed from a woman’s view point. Subject matter stems from a series of collaboratively facilitated workshops run as an enquiry into connection through movement, focusing in on contact improvisation. This has acted as an intelligent metaphor for the shapes and interface of sometimes discordant contact, highlighting the hierarchical dominance of hegemonic masculinity, authority and intimidation, or their opponents: horizontal homosociality, equality and heart-felt connection. Observations by a woman of men interacting with one another poses a new perspective. A role reversal reflected within a voyeur’s world of pornography and objectification of women throughout history. My intention is not to objectify men, instead, to explore the variables within the intimate world of homasociality and further to promote a model of healthy, non-authoritative, authentic and heartfelt connection as opposed to the patriarchy which we are so familiar with. Movement and methodology becomes the mirror of artist in connection with subject, paint with canvas. A momentary renaissance in Abstract Expressionism, originally a male dominated movement, where extreme measures were taken to marginalise their female counterparts. The images, indicative of the expressionist movement, comprise of experiential imprints combined to form cumulative moments and the merging of energies, or disconnection. On some occasions deep canvases have been created to protrude off the wall, towards the audience.