ingrid v. wells
My teeth hurt just looking at these beauties! I thought these ridiculously sweet oil paintings were a perfect way to usher in a new week. This is the work of San Francisco based artist Ingrid V. Wells, and all of these treats are part of her ongoing series, ‘Spectacle’. Here’s a little morsel from Ingrid’s artist statement:
Her work fancies the fantastic and humorous in theme and the charming, the kitschy, and the celebrity in subject. Wells’s paintings investigate the world of gendered consumerism and the ethics of fascination.
Now, who wants chocolate cupcakes for breakfast? YUM. ps. Ingrid’s work is available via Voss Gallery {San Francisco}.
“the world of gendered consumerism and the ethics of fascination”
But, also, it connects (intentionally, most probably) with some people’s youth, sparking nostalgia.
It certainly does for me.
And I’m enjoying it.
me too!
I don’t usually comment on posts, but something struck a cord with me.
These paintings look exactly like Decoden, a Japanese art form originally called Keitai Art. The art form involves putting small usually plastic objects among fake silicone buttercream like icing. It’s been around for a very long time, with a big enough following (especially in alternative youth culture in the USA), and is way too close to these paintings for it not to have been an influence. However, the artist mentions nothing of this on her website. I want to give her the benefit of the doubt and say she didn’t know of it, or that she did know of it and forgot to write it in as one of her influences… but it’s not sitting right with me that these art pieces are pushed as a statement of American Femininity when the art it so closely resembles is a deep rooted part of Japanese Lolita fashion -a movement started in rebellion against Japan’s ridged views on gender roles, especially those directed towards women, and overwhelming social pressure that increases in adulthood-.
As much as I enjoy the colours and the style of the paintings, I can’t help but get a bad taste in my mouth from looking at them
Hi S,
Thanks so much for your feedback!! I appreciate you taking a long look at the work and sharing your critical take.
I have in the past directly called out references to kawaii or decoden culture, although it looks like in my most recent version of my artist statement that must have been edited. I use these objects as reference for the paintings and bring them to my openings to share how the work is made with others and discuss the context. It’s good feedback to know that you’d like to hear more about that aspect of my work.
My first encounter with this world was in America, although I’m aware that it’s reach is worldwide and originally stemming from Japan. The objects themselves give off a high-energy, people pleasing vibe, and with the work I hope to discuss the allusions to expectations for the behavior of women. I understand that the objects may mean different things to different people, this is one interpretation. If you’d like to discuss my work further I’m happy to open a dialogue with you, my email is ingridvwells@gmail.com.