Barbara Steele

 Identity Series

Works on Paper and Perspex

As an artist, when I explore identity and the body, I am not concerned about the outward appearance of the self portrait.  I am interested in the multi-faceted nature of a person, the multi-layering of the psyche, the changeable, reflective nature of a personality which mirrors the exterior surroundings.

To try to capture this I have been working with wax, graphite, marble dust, talc and silver leaf on tracing paper and making marks with my finger tips.  Leaving traces of my existence on the surface of the paper.

An exploration of identity using finger touch on paper.

Identity Series: Traces 

wax and finger touch on perspex (detail)

 size: 60x90cmx2

Identity Series: Traces IV

wax, graphite, marble dust, talc and silver leaf on tracing paper (detail)

size: 8x52cm image / 45x60cm mounted

Identity Series: Traces I

wax, graphite, marble dust, talc and silver leaf on tracing paper

size: 28x33cm image / 50x60cm mounted

Identity Series: Traces II

wax, graphite, marble dust, talc and silver leaf on tracing paper

size: 28x33cm image / 50x60cm mounted

Identity Series: Traces III

wax, graphite, marble dust, talc and silver leaf on tracing paper

size: 28x33cm image / 50x60cm mounted

Identity Series: Traces VI

wax, graphite, marble dust, talc and silver leaf on tracing paper

size: 28x33cm image / 50x50cm mounted

Identity Series: Traces VII

wax, graphite, marble dust, talc and silver leaf on tracing paper

size: 28x33cm image / 50x50cm mounted