Art

2010 The Sappho Series

My latest series of paintings have been inspired by the Greek poet Sappho. Sappho is the first woman poet of whom any written record of her work remains. She lived and worked between 620 and 570 BC.

2600 years later, reading her words, in Anne Carson’s translation “If Not Winter” I was struck by the timelessness of her imagery. Sappho was a lyric poet, and her words would have been sung. Most of her work has been lost, and the few words that remain are found on fragments of papyrus.

Love, we long for it, we give it, we receive it, we lose it.

The Sappho Series (oil on wood panel) consists of six pieces ranging in size from 4′x4′ to 4′ x8′. The images are first carved into the wood panel, then begins the process of layering on the oil paint, and rubbing it off, using my hands to sculpt the figures out of paint. The palette is warm, rich reds, burnt umber, finally burnished with copper and gold. Warm, reflective, sorrowful and serene, the nudes glow with the warmth of human emotion.

The Sappho Series will be shown in January 2011 at Martin Batchelor Gallery, 712 Cormorant Street, Victoria, BC. The show runs January 8th thru February 3rd, gallery hours are Mon-Sat 10-5.

January 15th, 7-9 pm I will be hosting an artists reception at the gallery. Please come to see my work and raise a toast to Sappho with me!

2009 Name of the Artist

2009 Grad Show

2007 Fearless Blameless

2006 Tenderness Neglect

2006 Eeny Meeny Deci Meeny

2005 Only Human

© Copyright Kristina Campbell 2012