Rebecca Strain

In Vile Bodies: Photography and the Crisis of Looking Chris Townsend describes the body as the limit of the human subject in space. Both container and contained, there are many taboos concerned with opening the body and revealing the abjection that lies within. Julia Kristeva identifies in Powers of Horror how this exposed interior becomes unstable and repulsive, highlighting our mortality and just how unreliable, fragile and out of control the human body is. The exposed inner features of the body threaten to occupy space they shouldnt, disrupting the identity and stability of the human form, whilst evoking feelings of fear and terror.
Utilizing the fleshy, sensual, quality of oil paints, an uncontained fluid mass oozes across the paper through layers of bodily tones and shapes. A combination of a smooth sensuous surface, and a looser range of painterly marks seek to describe different types of flesh, and bring clear definition to the collage of individual forms. It is hoped the pieces will continue to reveal themselves to the viewer through this variety of techniques. Moving the viewer through a landscape of bodily forms, the paintings intend to place the viewer within the interior of the human body.
The exploration of fle...

Education

2007-2010BA (Hons) Fine Art Leeds Metropolitan University (2.1)

2006 -2007Foundation Diploma Art and Design- University of Gloucester (Merit)

Feb - March 2011 Desire and Repulsion: Grotesqueries, The Art Corner, Manchester

Jan 2010 Interntaional Postcard Exchange 2010, Surface Gallery, Nottingham

Nov - Jan 2011 Off The Shelf, SaltburnArtistsProjects, Saltburn by the Sea

Oct – Dec 2010 International Contemporary Art, Arisu Creative Arts, arisucreativearts.com

Sept 2010 The Crocus Open Show, The Crocus Gallery, Nottingham

June 2010 Leeds Metropolitan University Arts Festival

May 2009 Solo Exhibition at Leeds Metropolitan University

May 2007 End of Year Foundation Show University of Gloucester