rolina nell

I concentrate on women and the female as a core subject by dealing with universal, existential questions of what the female can mean. My latest paintings of the series Die Arbeiterin, I made during my 3 months residency at Internationales Sommeratelier Aschersleben in Germany. The inspiration and information I gained from the history of the site where I worked and my previous residencies in Germany working in old factories.

Inspired by the idea of the strong women on propaganda posters and on a deeper level, the serenity of the mystical power of old frescos and images of saints. The use of accessories, clothing and other details follows on from an art-historical convention. In Christian iconography, for instance, the saints are identifiable by their attributes, among other things. I also subtly incorporate typifying accessories. As contemporary attributes, in a general sense, these reveal something about the presumed personality of the women. On the other hand my attention also goes  to propaganda posters, posters which encourage women to join ‘something’. Characteristic for these posters is the strong interest of the transmitter, which is trying to realise its own desires without regard for the interest of the receiver. Where freedom of choice is limited.

Link to Die Arbeiterin series drawings.