Carole Kirk

Slipper

I create figurative work which explores issues of identity, childhood development, and memory.  I work from family photographs, asking questions about photography and its role in capturing the ‘truth’ of our past.  I’m curious as to why we take snapshots, particularly of children, and use my paintings to visually explore this. 

My inspiration comes from my own childhood photographs which I never tire of looking at – as if I can find clues to who I really am.  The photographs have become my memories, the only evidence I have that I was once a child.  I am also interested in how we develop social roles (such as gender) through play and childhood stories, and much of my work explores dressing up, playing with dolls, and fairy tales. 

I use the photograph as a starting point, but then allow my physical gesture and the qualities of the paint, brushes and canvas to influence the development of the picture.  Objects and the domestic settings from the original photograph become symbolic props which take on new meanings when transferred into a painting.  I work intuitively, often leaving pictures very loose and un-detailed.  I’m interested in how this leaves ambiguity for the viewer to project their own families, memories and stories onto the paintings. 

February 2009

Visit the Gallery to see a selection of my work.

Arts and Creative Education
 

Degree and Post-Graduate Education

 
Group Exhibitions
 

Experience