This is an exciting piece by artist Alex Parnham-Cope - an artist working out of Gloucestershire. Alex trained at Stroud College and this was part of his project - Objects of Revulsion - on attitudes towards the queer and female body. The painting measures 40cm x 60cm, oil on board, and is entitled queer bodies.
Alex offers us here the torso of a 'real' woman, yet one which has nevertheless been manipulated like so many other images of women. The torso is cut off from any background or context by a field of grey and yellow. The latter has also come forward in the picture plane, partly concealing and partly defining the female form.
A half apple has been placed over the torso's genitals.
This could simply be a metaphor for vagina and vulva (but why?), like the roses and wooded ravines of other western art. But it might also point to the story found in the early chapters of Genesis where Eve/Woman is held responsible for Sin and for Human separation from God. In this story Eve disobeys God by eating fruit (apples are never mentioned) which has been forbidden. She encourages Adam/Man to do the same. For this act of disobedience, they are both stripped of their innocence and become aware of their sexual identities. Eve/Woman is specifically punished by being made subservient to Men. From this myth has flowed a whole history of male oppression of women.
The Church has traditionally taken this further by suggesting that the forbidden fruit was sexual desire and action. Had it not been for Woman's disobedience, the original couple - it is argued - would have remained in a blissful state of virginal innocence. In this reading, both Women and Sex become sullied and corrupt - an example of the Church's sad power to be life-denying rather than life-affirming.
So perhaps this work brings to our minds the oppression and blaming of women. The most intimate part of this torso's body becomes an object to be covered, as though it is something of which to be ashamed. At that part of her anatomy, which is capable of bringing her and others pleasure and from which new life appears, is placed a symbol of accusation and damnation.
I had the opportunity to talk with Alex about his work. He spoke of his concerns about the ways in which women's bodies have been sexualised, and his intention to make them more familiar. And this is a good example of the (not always comfortable) relationship between the artist's intentions and how his/her work is perceived and received. It is helpful to know what the artist had in mind, but when the work leaves the studio it becomes the subject of many interpretations - each of those conditioned by what the viewer brings to the image. I can only read this picture as a white middle-aged man with a bit of art education. It would be fascinating to hear from women about how they engage with this thought-provoking image.
This artwork is for sale, and offers in the region of £60 can be sent to Alex on alex.parnhamcope@gmail.com