Human Light 2

Product description

Bridget’s work expressing the human face and figure evolves through engagement in the physicality of painting and art-making itself.  It is a process of discovering, or even uncovering or revealing the image that ‘wants’ to be expressed.  It is an embodied process that feels akin to carving or sculpting with paint, layering and removing, till the image reveals itself.  The process investigates facial expression (the fleeting glance of an eye or a steady gaze, the expression of the mouth or other features), and body language – through the proximity and posture of human figures, with some figures and faces seeming to merge with or emerge from their background.  Through this practice, Bridget aims to give expression to something of the essence of human life, connecting with the viewer in sharing an empathy for human experience and feeling – both the pain and suffering as well as joy and happiness, and many subtleties the lie between.

This work, along with Human Light 1 painting, express the continuity of humans with their natural environment… their true home:  The emerging of the human from their environment and – perhaps – the human merging back with their environment, which sadly may happen if life for humans becomes unsustainable in a warming planet. On another deeper level they also portray the emergence of human consciousness - whether through evolution or through a creation event, such as Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden or other creation stories.  In the biblical narrative it is notable that humans were placed in a garden which they were to tend and nurture, then becoming outcasts from their garden home with their relationship to the natural world changing from one of unity to one of struggle.

The facial expressions of the two figures suggest a mix of feelings and thoughts: hope, wonder, concern, contemplation.  As our consciousness continues to develop or evolve we humans have choices to face in how we respond to and engage with our planet, our home.