Self-Portrait with Talismans and The Toy Collector.
2 Paintings in the 144th RUA Exhibition by Betty Brown PPRUA.
A self-portrait is an artist challenging themselves to tell it as it is. Talismans is a word that describes objects chosen to bring good luck or be protective to health. The clothing of the headscarf and fur coat are worn as protectors of the body but also create a painting challenge in depicting the fake fur of the coat and the threadbare fur of the 70-year-old teddy bear. The Pelham puppet "Troll" represents the present menace of recent illness. The soft toys are being held up in defence and "Paddington" represents the healing power of a marmalade sandwich!
Moving on to the next painting, "The Toy Collector", I first thought of making an animal mask for the face but then by chance, just tied the animal print scarf around the head of my studio mannequin. It immediately took on a strange presence so taking the talisman idea a step further, I composed the figure and toys as a studio still-life. The venerable teddy bear holds centre stage and is surrounded by other collector's items, two Steiff furry toys, two Pelham puppets, a sooty bear and a masked mouse. The meaning comes from the public display of my collection, why I have treasured some of these toys for many years and as they engage the viewer with their direct stares, what is the sense that this is also a self-portrait painting although the face is hidden.
Betty Brown PPRUA