Galia Gluckman
b. 1973, South Africa
Soirée Series (Martha), 2020
Construction with paper, acrylic, angel hair, balsa wood and bonding tape on board
60x55x15cm
Following the Coronavirus Gluckman became interested in how societies had previously responded in times of social and economic uncertainty.
She looked to the 1920 flapper parties and the ‘excess’ and compulsion to let go and have fun in times of strife. Her interest in parties as a social setting manifested in tactile pieces resembling hair, which symbolised different persona’s at a party. Martha was intended to represent a female person with artificial blonde hair, who tries extremely hard to ‘look good’ yet ironically these efforts result in a lacklustre look.
She looked to the 1920 flapper parties and the ‘excess’ and compulsion to let go and have fun in times of strife. Her interest in parties as a social setting manifested in tactile pieces resembling hair, which symbolised different persona’s at a party. Martha was intended to represent a female person with artificial blonde hair, who tries extremely hard to ‘look good’ yet ironically these efforts result in a lacklustre look.