Women in Modern art

        The identity of women is complex, especially in today’s climate of the topic of gender. A common phenomenon for woman, is the societal roles given, oftentimes involving motherhood. Despite the fact I am not personally have children or am apart of motherhood, I think it remains a large aspect for a lot of woman weither or not we bare or choose our independence. Celia Paul is an artist whose able to express many emotions with motherhood, often depicting woman in patriarchal roles & showing woman in their day to day. Her mother being a primary subject in many of her works. The most notable being “My Mother with a Ring”, painted in 1982. “My Mother with a ring” depicts a portrait of Paul’s own mother, she lays with her hands clasped together, while wearing a gold ring on her finger, and a drooped facial expression showing us mixed emotions.

       Her portrait is simple yet striking, rendered in a realistic coloured style. It is primarily using warmer tones, the limited color palette that emphasizes the tonal variations in the figure’s skin and clothing. Her mother’s depiction of subdued colors also contribute to a sense of quiet introspection, as well as an emotional depth that is characteristic of Paul’s work. One notable aspect of the painting is the artist’s use of light and shadow to create a sense of depth and dimensionality in the figure’s face and hands. The play of light across the figure’s skin creates a sense of texture and detail that makes the portrait feel almost tactile. ‘My Mother with a Ring’ is a powerful and emotionally resonant work that showcases Celia Paul’s mastery of portrait painting. The painting captures a sense of quiet intimacy and emotional depth that is characteristic of the artist’s oeuvre, and offers a sensitive and nuanced portrayal of the artist’s mother. Paul has famously created a whole series on womanhood, specifically painting her mother for 35 years, according to Ruth Millington, Paul had stated that her own mother reminded her of Mont Sainte-Victoire. (Ruth Millington).

      Often times her work is a direct inspiration of women in their day to day lives.  Paul even references how her mother looking disassociated is important within her creation of her in the work, stating “Her mother would use the time for prayer. In one painting, ”My Mother with a Ring,” her mother looks off into the distance as if she’s waiting for something, her eyes gleaming as they catch the light.” (Szalai Talking to young female artists, and herself). Paul confirming that in the portrait of her mother looking away she’s practically waiting for someone and distant in mind as well. As much as her relationship with her mother is lovely, she’s noted that emotionally this female rage she has could be also linked to her own mother, claiming. “The arc of Paul’s story is not one of triumph, but endurance. ”I felt that time itself was like water, a powerful current that had dragged my mother away and that was also pulling me in the same direction,” she writes.” (Szalai Talking to young female artists, and herself). 

    Although this quote of her wasn’t a direct response to her painting “My Mother with a ring”, it does reflect the artists exploration on female rage and the emotions we display throughout childhood, to motherhood or even just the shared experience of womanhood. I find most interesting how this piece isn’t just about the one painting itself but, instead reflects Paul’s experience and emotions towards what womanhood is to her and those closest to her. 

     Interestingly I also think her relationship with self reflects in the portrait of her mother, why a female figure? Why the emphasis on painting her mother for 35 years? In an interview, Paul speaks about her relationship with religion and makes in her life, how she felt trapped around them, often a shadow behind them. “If Celia Paul had to escape from domineering male presences in her life, she also had to find a role for herself among her sisters (one of whom, Jane, is married to the former archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams).” (Adams The observer). Her relationship with her family is both lovely and close but also leaves her feeling isolated, that feeling can reflect in the portrait as the viewer sees up close all the details and colors of her mother shown, yet we are left wondering what she is looking out to. 

     Once again her relationship with men around her in the art community, as well as her own life, leave her feeling this build up of what could be described as female rage. “You would hesitate to describe Paul as a confident person, but she is possessed of a quietly cheerful certainty in her powers of persistence. She feels finally, she says, that she might be granted her own space apart from the alpha males of British painting.” (Adams The observer). Womanhood is often filled with confusion and uncertainty, just as motherhood and the many relationships with women given to us. Paul sees this, her relationship with her mother and wanting to capture her essence as well as her own confusion is evident in her work. Although this portrait was painting in the 80’s I feel that the message could still be relevant to today. 

Sorces

Celia Paul, ‘My Mother with a Ring’, 1982.

Millington, Ruth. “11 Important Artists Making Contemporary Art about Motherhood.” Ruth Millington, London Art Fair, 28 Dec. 2022, https://ruthmillington.co.uk/11-important-artists-making-contemporary-art-about-motherhood/. 

Adams, Tim. “Celia Paul: ‘I Had to Make This Story My Own.’” The Observer (London) 2019: n. pag. Print. 

Szalai, Jennifer. “Talking to Young Female Artists, and Herself: Review.” The New York times 2020: n. pag. Print.