Kelly Reemtsen's Power Women
Posted on May 4, 2011 by Anna Denise
I'm not sure where I first saw her work, but I've fallen completely in love with the paintings of Kelly Reemtsen. This Los Angeles-based painter depicts festively clad women, wearing party dresses that remind me of the fashion in the 50s and 60s, carrying around traditionally male power tools.
In reading about Reemtsen's work, I've noticed that a lot of people associate the headless portraits to be of highly pissed off housewives. And it's true, behind the beautiful dresses, the candy cane colors and impeccable application of the thick layers of paint, there's a sense of something dark going on. It could be my projection, but I associated these images with the current role of women in society. Not to sound too serious, but I think women nowadays are in an interesting position. Holding on to femininity and the traditional value placed on beauty and sweetness, whilst also trying to 'do it all' - have a fulfilling career, family life, personal life, etc. I think there are very little examples we can look to as women at this point - we're the ones finding new ways of being right now - and I think that's what these images are trying to show. The absurdity of trying to combine it all, whist also depicting the ideal woman of today.
Yes.
You see. I really did fall in love with Reemtsen's work.
Links: Website | Blog
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In reading about Reemtsen's work, I've noticed that a lot of people associate the headless portraits to be of highly pissed off housewives. And it's true, behind the beautiful dresses, the candy cane colors and impeccable application of the thick layers of paint, there's a sense of something dark going on. It could be my projection, but I associated these images with the current role of women in society. Not to sound too serious, but I think women nowadays are in an interesting position. Holding on to femininity and the traditional value placed on beauty and sweetness, whilst also trying to 'do it all' - have a fulfilling career, family life, personal life, etc. I think there are very little examples we can look to as women at this point - we're the ones finding new ways of being right now - and I think that's what these images are trying to show. The absurdity of trying to combine it all, whist also depicting the ideal woman of today.
Yes. You see. I really did fall in love with Reemtsen's work.
Links: Website | Blog---
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