Throughout the course of my practice, the starting point is always the body. The subject is consistently isolated in the absence of moment or location, as a study of form and temperament, existing without context. The very singular nature of the compositions present figures (mostly human, also animal and hybrids) singly or in connection. Whole figures and body parts are treated with equal status. The salient theme is an external formation of an interior expression; a physical manifestation of an un-named part of the psyche, fundamentally visceral in origin. This subjectivity provides the foundation of the projects I undertake whether it is studying the narcissistic nature of man’s relationship with pets, or the variation of meanings a single hand gesture can convey.

For the Luminous Bodies residency I propose to examine my compulsion to describe the body, detached from cultural signifiers, and to produce a response within the context of the residency’s theme and discussion; to confront this impulse as a “re-invention and re-presentation of the body”. I expect to use drawing and sculptural methods in this process. My past studies present the human body, generally, without specificity. More recently I have been working with the human body in terms of its animality, for example how teeth expose that animality within cultural and societal norms. These explorations aim to indicate the commonality of form between the human and non-human animal. Additionally this observation demonstrates the same-ness that exists within the human and animal realm; although each figure varies in form, the body functions largely in the same way regardless of the visual representation. This expression of form allows viewing of the human (or animal/hybrid) form, without any cultural, aesthetic or radicalized gaze. Though the forms are freed of these cultural binds, my intention is not to create a single form, but rather demonstrate the limitless configurations of the body.

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Born in London to a medical family, Kitty Blandy Davies’ exposure to bodies prompted an independent visual training exploring physiognomical form and states-of-being through drawing, print and sculpture. Her work is included in many collections, notably the National Portrait Gallery, London. Blandy holds a BFA from ECUAD and has received the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant and the Contemporary Art Society of Vancouver Emerging Artist Award. Blandy has served on the boards of several non-profit arts organizations. Her work is represented by Franc Gallery, and she lives and works in Vancouver on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.