Alexia Sinclair's Seductive Art

"Sinclair’s art is dark and seductive, baroque and symbolic. Her multilayered photographs subtly present contemporary notions of fashion and beauty through innovative digital media, whilst restoring antique notions of classicism, elegance and luxury." From her website

I would also add theatrical, fantastical and imaginative to the description above of award winning artist and photographer Alexia Sinclair's stunning work. I can't remember when I first came across her work, but I do remember thinking wow, as a person also obsessed with the Baroque era. When I heard through a friend of her latest exhibition 'Rococo' on now in Sydney until the 8th March, I was so excited I decided to write this post. Coincidentally, The Australian Financial Review also wrote a piece on her work last weekend. Like they say great minds think alike!
If you read the AFR article, great. If you visit her exhibition, even better. If not browse here and be enchanted by Alexia's work.

The Secret Garden 2015. Part of her latest Exhibition Rococo.

I just love her historical references in all her work. Such as her latest exhibition Rococo, inspired by Louis XV's famous flamboyant mistress Madam de Pompadour, who as an exceptional artist herself decorated her homes and gardens with porcelain flowers. Madam de Pompadour was a fascinating woman with many extraordinary talents which is another reason why I am interested in this particular exhibition. I often refer to her fashion sense when I am making my creations.  

Porcelain Petals 2015 from Rococo Exhibition

The Grove of Venus 2015,from  Rococo Exhibition.

Alexia considers herself a digital artist. Yet I feel she is more than that. A mixed media artist maybe? combining, set design, fashion, photography, history and digital. 

All her photographs are taken in her studio, and each set is designed and created by her. The clothes on the models are even sewn by herself. Then she photographs them. I am guessing there would be little sleep in her life. 

I feel I resonate with her as I know how long creating something you are so passionate about takes. When I am in my studio creating my theatrical mannequins I can get lost for days. (anyway more on my latest ones at a later date!).  

Apart from Rococo series, Alexia has had great success with her other collections which again seem to be influenced by famous historical people, architecture and mainly Europe. Below are some of my favourite pieces of her previous works. 

Marie Antoinette 2005

Elizabeth I, 2007

Pope Alexander VI, 2010

The Cabinets of Curiosity, 2013

See you soon

Gessica X

Just a reminder to view my blog stylebygessica for fashion inspiration.

The Visions of Gregory Colbert

"I have been tusked by an elephant, almost eaten by a sperm whale, knocked off my feet by a rhinoceros, embraced by a jaguar, given a haircut by a tiger shark, chased by a hippo and a black mamba, brought to my knees by malaria and dengue. But I was able to avoid the greatest danger of all. Never stop exploring the things that open you, or that you love."

Gregory Colbert. 

Gregory Colbert  is a Canadian photographer/film maker who created Ashes and Snow, an ongoing travelling exhibition of photographs and films focusing on the exquisite interaction of humans and animals. Better known as the nomadic museum, these images and films are displayed in purposely built temporary structures that travel the world.

Each exhibition consists of more than fifty photographs measuring approx 3.5m by 2.5m. All created on special handmade Japanese paper.  His exhibitions also consist of three film installations. His films are stunning imagery, more poetic rather than documentaries, edited by two time oscar winner Pietro Scalia and narrated in various languages by well known actors.   What is incredible with his work,is that none of the photographic or film images have been digitally collaged or superimposed. I feel calm, inspired and engrossed in his story when viewing his images that speak a thousand words. This post focuses on his most recent 'elephant series'.

Ashes and Snow is a  project Gregory has been working on for thirty years, with each exhibition honouring the connection of humans and animals. 

Extract From his website; ' Ashes and Snow first opened at the Arsenale in Venice, Italy, in 2002. The Nomadic Museum, the traveling home of Ashes and Snow, debuted in New York in 2005 and then migrated to Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Mexico City, and is charted to travel the globe with no final destination. Ashes and Snow has welcomed more than ten million visitors to date, making it the most attended exhibition by any living artist in history.

"I think of my life's work as a celebration of all of nature, an orchestra that plays not the sounds of one musician, the music of one species, but rather an expression of all of nature's songs".

“When I started Ashes and Snow in 1992, I set out to explore the relationship between man and animals from the inside out. In discovering the shared language and poetic sensibilities of all animals, I am working towards restoring the common ground that once existed when people lived in harmony with animals.”

Enticing you with more of his work......

I'm obsessed. If you are, click on the links above and these photos to see more of his work. Please visit his website to find out more about Gregory and sign up to receive notification on when and where his next nomadic museum will be constructed. 

Love your work Gregory. 

I hope you enjoy his work as much as I do.

Warm regards

Gessica