France-Lise McGurn is currently showing Mondo Throb at London’s Bosse and Baum; a selection of pensive works in gesso, oil, acrylic and spray paint which spread, at times, from neat rectangular canvases to the speckled floor.
The works shown are a mix of studio paintings and those created in situ, which is reflected in the differing levels of formality from work to work. Some simple canvases depict lone faces, with minimal lines employed to draw out a variety of emotions — though, nearly all exist on the contemplative end of the spectrum, subjects, even when smiling ever-so-slightly in the corners of their mouths, still appearing to be lost in thought. Eyes in many cases remain a little vacant, pupils outlined but not filled in, eyelids arched in others which hint at an inner sadness.
Some works — including the nuttily-named Aerobics gives you herpes and Mad butterfly — pull apart the body and face in a more unconventional manner, with limbs overlapping as though moving and faces intersecting with body parts. The human is no longer solid, but a force in motion with independent features and gestures. This fluid nature is emphasised on the floor, on which there are lone painted body parts — a foot here, a hand there — in amongst a sea of sprayed reds, yellows and blues, and transient lines.
McGurn cites many different elements of life as influences, including family, privacy, club culture and sexuality. One of the most obvious of her named influences is ecstasy, a state (and a drug) which, when taking over the human body can make it feel momentarily devoid of solid form altogether.
‘Mondo Throb’ is showing at Bosse and Baum, London until 18 December
