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December 06, 2006

Twenty years with a twisting torso

Processing some recent photographs, I realise I’ve been wrestling with a powerful image for twenty years now.

torso-comp.jpg

digital print, 420mm x 290mm, 2006

A twisting torso. I’ve photographed it, drawn it and painted it. It’s been my letterhead until recently, and the banner of my main website.

People have bought the drawings, people have bought the paintings, all in all it’s been a happy partnership.

Why a twisting torso? Well it’s just so powerful, it seems to have such potential, such beauty and strength.

It all started in 1986 when I was working with a dancer called Ali. I did a series of drawings of her twisting, concentrating on the arms and torso. I was also particularly partial to the extended landscape proportions of the composition.

torsos-85-02.jpg

torsos-01-85.jpg

Ink on paper, 297mm x 210mm, 1986

The small ink drawings progressed to larger charcoal drawings

first-torso.jpg

charcoal on paper, 300mm x 980mm, 1988

and finally to oil paint.

the-first-torso.jpg

oil on canvas, 380mm x 980mm, 1994 - 1998

Posted by john at December 6, 2006 09:15 PM

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