CUCKOO
GALLERY

This piece is about how we are seen juxtaposed with how we wish to be seen. It is all in the gesture. The abstract statement in a performed gesture can be very striking and leave a strong impression; David Bowie comes to mind in Ashes to Ashes video when dressed as a Pierrot smudges his lipsticked mouth aggressively with the back of his hand. ( that has stuck in my mind as a strangely powerful gesture). We are all playing different versions of ourselves when we are with different people, friends, family etc… we get stuck in these same roles for decades, repeating as if stuck in a time capsule for each. This piece is the liberated self, the break away, the singular voyage of self exploration, self expression, and self identity, the boundless possibilities of creative self reinvention.”

Derek Curtis skillfully transforms the fading Albert Holden's XIX Tambourine Girl portrait into a contemporary masterpiece with his work titled "Are we human or are we dancers." Curtis, a conceptual artist known for his distinctive style, employs an innovative technique using shiny industrial gloss paint on aluminum panels. In this piece, hem portrais his characteristic humor and puns, creating a visual language that is uniquely his own. The fading XIX Tambourine Girl serves as a source of inspiration, and Curtis's interpretation shows his ability to breathe new life into historical images. The reflective quality of the painted surface enhances the impact of bright, seductive colors, drawing viewers into an imaginative world where fictional characters play out contemporary narratives. Curtis's art, with its playful incorporation of diverse genres, questions the relationships between individuals, their environment, and culture. "Are we human or are we dancers" stands as a brilliant example of Curtis's mastery in blending conceptual ideas with a visually captivating style, creating a vibrant and thought-provoking experience for the audience.

In his creation, "Tambourine Girl 2023," Luke pays homage to the past while embracing the rhythm of today. In this contemporary piece, he depicts a girl navigating the demands of modern life with minimal time to pose. Instead of the calmness captured in the original, she is engrossed in the immediacy of constant connectivity, using her phone to share her story 24/7. The title nods to both the historical inspiration and the current timeline, a bridge between eras.

The canvas, supported by a recycled metal shelf, tells a tale of sustainability in a world increasingly valuing reuse and recycling. It speaks to the evolving values of our society, a stark contrast to the circumstances surrounding the original artwork.

"Tambourine Girl 2023" not only captures a moment in time but also reflects the pulse of our contemporary existence. It's a visual dialogue between the timeless charm of the past and the dynamic rhythms of today—an exploration of the ever-changing cadence of the human experience, where the immediacy of life is etched onto the canvas.

Heidi Gentle Burrell's painting, inspired by the 19th-century portrait of the Tambourine, stems from a desire to bridge the temporal gap with a contemporary narrative. In envisioning this piece, she found inspiration in the vastness of space exploration, symbolizing boundless opportunities and the uncharted territories of women's dreams. The 19th-century setting acts as a canvas onto which she projects a vision of empowered women aspiring to break through societal constraints. Burrell aims to convey the idea that, just like space remains infinite, so do the possibilities for women to dream, aspire, and forge professional paths. This painting serves as a visual ode to the evolving roles and increasing freedom that women, represented by the Tambourine Girl, have in shaping their destinies, transcending the confines of time and societal expectations.

In his exploration of the classic charm embodied by the Tambourine Girl, Jay Goodwin felt a magnetic pull guiding his creative journey. Infusing a contemporary edge into his piece, he chose to feature his friend Freddie, adopting the same pose as the original painting. The once pristine and delicate canvas transformed into a narrative of tattoos, each narrating Freddie's unique story—a bold departure from tradition.

​

Titled "Freddie," this artwork is a celebration of his journey, harmonizing classic elegance with modern rebellion. The cold, unyielding metal frame not only provides support but stands as a symbolic representation of the enduring nature of our stories against the relentless march of time. It serves as a visual anthem to the evolution of art and personal expression, where echoes of the past seamlessly meld with the vibrant narratives of the present. Noteworthy is Freddie's dual identity as a perfumist and tattoo enthusiast, adding an olfactory layer to the visual tale, further enriching the multisensory experience of the piece.

In her creation, Luise Haynes drew inspiration from the Victorian painting of the Tambourine Girl. The wistful expression of the original portrait hinted at numerous thoughts and perhaps dreams, a mystery that will forever remain unknown. Luise crafted her painting based on the dreamy aspect she sensed, capturing swirling feelings and thoughts overwhelming the girl and transporting her to another, more gentle place. The painting becomes a representation of where the girl's spirit yearns to be—a realm of infinite possibilities and peace.

In her creation of 'Not A-MUSE(D),'  a three part series for this exhibition 'Back from the ashes – the voyage of the eternal Muse', Lior Locker drew inspiration from the intricate dance of life. Part 1 unfolds as a humorous interruption to the smartphone-induced trance of today's world, employing the tambourine as a tool to re-enact life's scenes. Part 2 delves into the complexities of relationships and shadows of the past, revealing a exploration of pain and nostalgia. Finally, in Part 3, Lior turns introspective, offering an ode to her left elbow that serves as both a physical and metaphorical symbol. These flash fiction fragments serve not only as a personal narrative but also as a cathartic release, intertwining the struggles of life with the expressive power of art.

The presence of ‘the muse’ isn’t defined solely on their ability to turn up. It can be instilled in flashbacks and memories of them. The muse can be both a role model and a villan. The impact of their actions can influence the decisions you make going forth. They can be found in photographs, objects, sounds, colours, and smells. Anything sensory. What I do is hypothesise and conclude on what a reality may look like after them…

When Steven looks at the tambourine girl, he gets a sense of melancholy. He thinks dark thoughts and wonder what that tambourine took away from  her.

Drawing a comparison , and based on a series of photos of his son and their neighbour playing soldiers, Parnell painted ”the youth of today” in celebrating that care free nature of childhood

Gretel drew inspiration from the tiny snippets (or lack of) information regarding the muse being a young girl, most likely, from Kent. Warmer found little, to no, information about the artwork or the artist so embraced the mystery and started thinking about the young woman's experience growing up in Kent and related it to the artist's own. Gretel began to think about the vast differences in todays society, and how it is almost unheard of to be untraceable, like this young girl. Warmer also thought about the instancy of todays world, and how we have become accustom to an idea of instant gratification.

​

When she initially looked at the artwork, Gretel felt as though the young woman was waiting for something. There was a perveived sense of unease , and so, she wanted to recreate that through a contemporary lens. "Today's world encourages us to be attached to our phones, and for young people it is all that they know". Something that Warmer believes is more powerful than we recognise. The young woman is troubled by a lack of communication from an unknown receiver, and is engulfed by awaiting a reply. Sending a risky text and not hearing back or waiting to hear a loved one has arrived safely; awaiting a response can be all-consuming. Gretel Warmer's painting is a (light-hearted) nod to the power of technology and just how encompassing and distracting it can be.