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I’m always interested to hear others’ responses to any work I make. On seeing my most recent piece of work, ‘Meat too’ (ii) an artist I know commented on how they would ‘never have recognised this work’  as mine. The word ‘aggressive’ was mentioned and I know what they meant; this second piece of work in the series is undoubtedly so. I’m glad it was picked up on because it’s precisely the feeling underlying the work, echoing not just the overwhelming feelings of anger felt by numerous women who associate themselves with the #metoo movement, but for many others, too.

Nevertheless, the comment about how different this piece was from other work I’ve made, intrigued me. I think ‘Meat too’ (ii) has a definite connection to other pieces – more explicit in this particular piece, perhaps, but it’s there – in ‘Sweet Nothings’ and ‘that’ dress – work that goes back to 2015. It reminds me of the consistent thread running throughout my work – my fascination with the ongoing objectification of women, essentially – the attempts to silence them, as well as the perpetual violence and harm which tragically, continues to be inflicted upon many.

As I said in my last post here, a lot of the work I make addresses the different ways in which women, through the male gaze and objectification, are often judged by how they look and how they behave. Miss World and other beauty pageants spring to mind – the ultimate in meat marketing. In the absence of any real significant change, my interest in the restrictions imposed on women continues – women living their lives under scrutiny, constantly reminded of the importance to look a ‘certain’ way, forced to ‘know their place’ and often unable to exist freely or be their true, authentic selves.

 

‘Meat too’ (ii), 2022 (as shown above) was included as part of the ‘All Under One Roof’ exhibition, curated by Luke Merryweather at the Art Hub studios in Deptford, London. The work of fourteen artists who live or work in Deptford was included in the show and continued throughout the first weekend of the Deptford X art festival, 2022.


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There’s a definite autumnal ‘back to school’ feel in the air which makes me feel like I need to get myself organised. I have a lot coming up in terms of sorting my home & work spaces and so it feels good to take some time to catch up with things on this blog before becoming completely re-immersed in it all.

I’ve been looking back over the summer and thinking about what a great pleasure it was to take part in the group show ‘Always On My Mind’ at the Fitzrovia Gallery in London at the end of July. The show was curated by artist Harry Pye and raised funds for the National Brain Appeal charity. More details about the show and Harry’s thinking behind it can be read here:

http://fitzroviagallery.co.uk/myportfolio/always-on-my-mind-an-exhibition-in-aid-of-the-national-brain-appeal/

The National Brain Appeal raises much-needed funds for The National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery and the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology. The National Hospital is one of the world’s leading centres for the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with a wide range of neurological and neuromuscular conditions including stroke, multiple sclerosis, brain cancer, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, migraine and dementia.

‘Always on my Mind’ included the work of 16 artists:  

Magda Archer, Gordon Beswick, Sasha Bowles, Nick Cave, Billy Childish, Matthew Collings, Alice Herrick, Corin Johnson, James Johnston, Francis Macdonald, Kate Murdoch, Carson Parkin-Fairley, Harry Pye, Elena-Andreea Teleaga, Twinkle Troughton and Tracey Williams.

The work ranged from collage, drawing, installation, photography, painting, prints to sculpture.

The title of the exhibition came from the name of an Elvis Presley song that was number one 50 years ago. As well as the obvious link to the Elvis song, Harry also asked those participating to think about issues that were frequently on their own minds.

Female identity is one of the themes I return to again and again in my work and I submitted two pieces, featuring women, ‘Meat Too’ and ‘Reflection.’ Both pieces refer to ‘good’ women – women compelled to conform to what society expects of them. I wrote this about the work when I was ready to submit it:

‘A lot of the work I make addresses the different ways in which women, through the male gaze and objectification, are often judged by how they look and how they behave. I’m fascinated by the inevitable restrictions this imposes on women – living our lives under scrutiny, constantly reminded of ‘knowing our place’ and often unable to exist freely or be our true authentic selves.

This inequality between the lives of women versus men is something I’ve been acutely aware of from a young age and continues to be an issue I think about a lot. As well as addressing these issues on a personal level, ‘Meat Too’ and ‘Reflection’ open up opportunities for a response from a wider audience and invite further social and political debate around gender and women’s place in society.’

Below are images of the two pieces of work I submitted for the ‘Always on my Mind’ show. For further photos of the opening night, here’s a link to Harry’s Rebel Magazine blog:

http://therebelmagazine.blogspot.com/2022/07/photos-from-opening-party-of-always-on.html

 

‘Meat Too’ – Kate Murdoch 2022

 

‘Reflection’ – Kate Murdoch 2022


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