Painting
Gemma Cowen
Untitled
Delicately rendered, sensually caressing the canvas, the artist captures the subtle confidence of femininity in each careful brushstroke. The ultra-smooth blending of brushwork contrasts with the strong stance and presence of the models the paintings portray.
Through commonly used advertising techniques the artist engages the viewer, such as the intense and empowering direct gaze held between the model and the viewer in each of the works. The aim of this portrayal of empowerment to somehow reclaim the male gaze. Each painting acts as a vessel to start conversations regarding the patriarchal dominant society in which women can be affected both physically and mentally through rape culture and misogyny. The sheer, dainty fabric is an acknowledgment of the stereotypical attributes often bestowed upon women. The models strong “masculine” presence aims to dismantle the often-demeaning presumptions.
Although the artist uses softly blended, plush velvety brushstrokes and frothy appearing surfaces the sheer size of the actual paintings, paired with the intense and confident gaze intended to almost intimidate the viewer as the male gaze does, coupled with the poses the models convey the works stand strong and are set apart from the typical portraits of the female form.