Metamorphosis of the Feminine – The Bloody Chamber, Angela Carter and Kiki Smith

November 18, 2013September 23, 2014startind

Kiki Smith, Rapture, 2001, Bronze, 67 1/4 x 62 x 26 1/2 inches
Edition of 3

“It’s a resurrection/birth story; ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ is a kind of resurrection/birth myth.”

The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter is a collection of short stories in which Carter re-appropriates the fairy tale in the service of the feminine to re-work patriarchal constructions of gender from within the genre. Female protagonists constantly transgress the boundaries of the patriarchal and the received definition of the fairy tale moral in relation to the feminine (i.e the innocent female child and the sacrificial female). The primary story after which the collection is named is a re-working of Bluebeard by Charles Perrault and was influenced by Carter’s readings of the Marquis De Sade. Carter asserts that Sade “put pornography in the service of women, or, perhaps, allowed it to be invaded by an ideology not inimical to women …” [1]. This extremely brief presentation aims to highlights connections between the representation of female experience in Visual Art and The Bloody Chamber. Continue reading →

Multiplied: Contemporary Art in Editions Fair, October 18th-21st, London 2013

October 17, 2013November 18, 2014startind

Breath, Photo Lithography, Oak Frame, Anti-reflective glass, 64.9cm x 50cm

Breath, Photo Lithography, Oak Frame, Anti-reflective glass,
Framed 69.5cmW x 54.5cmH, © Denise Startin Show RCA 2013.

Multiplied 2013 hosted by Christie’s, 18th – 21st October, is a contemporary fair dedicated to showcasing editioned work across a range of disciplines including Printmaking, Photography and Publications from both established artists including Bob and Roberta Smith, William Kentridge and Adam Chodzco as well as work by emerging artists. You can find the work of recent graduates of the Royal College of Art, MA Printmaking 2013 on Stand 8. The Fine Art programme at the RCA is intensely rigorous, intellectually stimulating, technically and critically demanding. The Printmaking department reflects this combining conceptual rigour, technical proficiency and intense material engagement across print, installation, sound, film, performance, spoken and printed word. A Printmaking publication, Between Before and After, was also produced alongside the degree show by graduating students 2013 showcasing text and image work and featuring critical input from Dr Chantal Faust, artist Nicky Coutts, writer Rebecca Geldard and Professor of Printmaking, Jo Stockham.

A work entitled Breath, which formed part of my MA show will be available for purchase. Breath is a limited edition (1/15) photo-litho on Somerset, there are also 10 prints available unframed 64.9cm x 50cm. Details of artists works and statements from the Printmaking graduates can be found at Show RCA, 2013. A box set of limited edition prints (25cm x 25cm) produced by final year Printmaking students 2013 will also be available for purchase. Proceeds will support the growth and development of future RCA students. For more information about Multiplied please click here. The Multiplied Gallery Guide for 2013 can be found here. Information regarding Printmaking at the RCA is on page17 of the Guide. Other exhibitors at the fair include Riflemaker, Purdey Hicks Gallery, Paupers Press, Dundee Contemporary Arts and London Print Studio.