Lorna MacRitchie

Opening Event, Wednesday 31 May, 6 – 8pm
Runs Thursday 1st – Sunday 11 June

We’re happy to present Lorna MacRitchie’s first solo show, Softspot.

Artist Statement

In examining womanhood beside childhood, comes a discussion of shame intertwined with the dynamics of sexual agency, patriarchal control, manipulation and the ‘damsel in distress’ persona. These issues stem from a spiritual or religious ‘responsibility’ and guilt that contradicts an experience of intimacy. The collecting of arbitrary items and goods and the act of repetition in material, colour and form are associated with repetitive thought processes and everyday actions. They reflect a constant inner conflict between the present self and the future self by revealing a longing for comfort.

The accumulation of domestic objects and connotations when taken out of its context paradoxically appears random, familiar and playful while also sinister and obsessive. There is an anger and impatience in ‘playing’ and this work is an intense attempt to counteract religious instruction as it produces self-blame, isolation and shame. Desire in all of its gory details is exhibited here and held up on a pedestal as a a possible ideal of human experience due to the possibilities for growth.

Artist Biography

British born, Lorna MacRitchie is a multi-disciplinary artist currently residing in Sydney. She completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Hons) at UNSW Art and Design in 2015 majoring in printmaking. Today she works in painting, sculpture, textiles, draw-ing, ceramics and installation. During her BFA, MacRitchie also studied in the USA at the University of Connecticut under Master Printer Laurie Sloan.

MacRitchie is a prolific image-maker, zine-maker and lithographer and has printed lithographic editions for Cicada Press, Sydney, under Michael Kempson. She is about to embark on a month long residency in Isafjörður, Iceland, before beginning her MA Fine Art studies at Central Saint Martins in London, UK in September 2017.