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Get Inspired by Artist Annie Kevans’ ‘Anti-Portraits’

by Bianca Gerlach

 

2 August 2016

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London-based artist Annie Kevans is well known for her ‘anti-portraiture’. Her paintings reveal celebrities and famous figures that have been left out of our collective memory, showcasing alternative history through provocative themes and delicate brushstrokes. She started in 2004 with her debut series ‘Boys’ whilst studying for her bachelor’s degree at London’s Central Saint Martins. The series was about dictators and war criminals – but shown as children. Her Second collection, ‘Girls’ also featured this contrast between innocence and corruption by revealing the sexualisation of female child stars.

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‘Anti-portraiture’ captures people’s identities without using a specific source of their real appearance. By people’s familiarity of the likeness of a person, Kevans convinces the viewer of the assumption that the observed is real. Through creating a certain image and emotion in their minds, she combines illusion and reality. Therefore, her work is more based on freedom in creativity, rather than sticking to the boundaries of how a person really looks like. The observer has the chance to rethink the reputation and image of the depicted celebrity.

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The exhibition ‘Selected Portraits’ runs until 3rd September 2016 at The Fine Arts Society in Edinburgh.

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Image shows 'Romy Schneider' from the series All About Eve.

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