Riku

This is Riku, a beautiful woman by the textile artist Alice Kettle. I saw the full size piece of art at St Barbe’s Art Gallery, Lymington today in their exhibition of Romantic artists of the 21st century.

I really love this piece, created in 2011, as it ‘rewrites’ the depiction of the nude female as one who is coming into her fullness, into her flourishing, in contrast to the negative connotations of nakedness in the tradition of Eve in Western culture. Here Riku is awakening to a new attitude towards her female self, aware of her embodiedness, with her eyes and consciousness open. She is delicate and strong. She is.

I think this is a strong piece as it is an interpretation and depiction of a woman by a woman. I think this brings an important perspective, and starting point- one of kindness and dignity, emphasising the Beingness of a woman rather than herself in her different roles according to other people’s desires.

Marvellous!

(Image taken from http://www.textileartist.org)