Jack # Cathy Eddowes 2001

Julie Roberts made Jack # Cathy Eddowes with graphite on paper. Look closely, and you can see the hand of the artist in the delicate marks, a real process of building up tone. The texture of the graphite is smooth, almost velvety, creating a sense of depth. The light catches the surface in a subtle way, which gives the figure a soft glow. Take a look at the central scar-like form, constructed with a series of small, careful marks, creating a sense of fragility, a vulnerability. The background curtain is built up with dense, almost crude, mark making, this is a really interesting contrast. Roberts’ use of muted tones reminds me a little of early work by Marlene Dumas. Both artists are able to create emotional resonance through a limited palette. The beauty of art lies in its ability to embrace ambiguity, and Julie Roberts invites us to contemplate the complexities of life, death and representation.