Painting & Printmaking School of Fine Art
Anna Dunlop
To create one’s own world takes courage. Georgia O’Keeffe.
Delving into the mysterious and fantastical realms of imagination, Anna draws inspiration from the natural world, childhood memories, esotericism, and the depths of her subconscious. Guided by a deep appreciation for nature’s untamed beauty, themes of wilderness and interconnectedness infuse her work through organic forms and naturalistic motifs.
Influenced by myths and folklore, dreams, and archetypal narratives, Anna seeks to explore universal themes of transformation, identity, and the ephemeral nature of existence through symbolic storytelling and allegorical imagery. Her reflexive interweaving of these themes alongside exploration of the body, emotions, and memories create synergies that resonate, offering glimpses into the timeless wisdom embedded within collective narratives, and navigating the endless oscillation of relationships between reality and the imaginary.
Oil paint is her primary medium, and it enables her to express the richness and complexity of her ideas. Repetitively painting thin layers over time is how Anna achieves texture and luminosity, creating intrigue in her dreamlike landscapes and curated worlds. The hints of colour that shine through the layers add depth, character and vibrancy to the paintings.
Taking inspiration from the rich history of painting, particularly from the contributions of female artists, Anna is deeply intrigued by Magical Realism and the trailblazing women of the Surrealist movement. Their exploration of the subconscious and the fantastical resonates with her own artistic journey, inspiring her to push the boundaries of reality and create evocative works that challenge the viewer’s perception.
In Anna’s artistic practice, she employs an intuitive and empathetic approach, aiming to reveal hidden stories and evoke emotional memories to create curated landscapes, paradisiacal structures, and after-images that transcend the boundaries of reality, inviting viewers to contemplate liminality and the edges of existence. Her work reflects the infinite possibilities of the human imagination, serving as a mirror to the interconnectedness of all things and exploration within the depths of our own minds.
Domain of Ariadne
Cailleach, Veiled One
Oil on canvas, 85 x 120 cm.
£800
The goddess Cailleach, a revered figure in Celtic mythology, held dominion over the cold and the winds. With deathly pale blue skin, she was often referred to as the Veiled One or the Queen of Winter, for she wielded authority over the length and severity of the winter season. Cailleach possessed extraordinary powers, capable of leaping across mountains, riding storms, and shape-shifting into a giant bird at will.
Pillars of Heaven (Nüwa)
Oil on canvas, 165 x 80 cm.
£700
Nüwa, a benevolent creator goddess said to have crafted humanity out of clay from the Yellow river, used her power to repair the Pillars of Heaven, structures essential for maintaining the separation between the earth and the heavens, when they were damaged and began causing chaos in the cosmos.