Draft:Lorna May Wadsworth

Lorna May Wadsworth

Born: 1979, Sheffield, England Residence: East London, England Education: Falmouth College of Art (<ref>https://research.kent.ac.uk/marlowe-works/person/lorna-may-wadsworth/<ref>) (<ref>https://www.bigissuenorth.com/centre-stage/2019/11/preview-lorna-may-wadsworth/#close<ref>), Royal Drawing School (<ref>https://www.royaldrawingschool.org/artists/drawing-year-alumni/lorna-wadsworth/<ref>)

Early Career and Rise to Prominence

Lorna May Wadsworth (born 1979) is a British artist and portrait painter known for her contemporary approach to traditional portraiture which often subverts traditional representations. She gained significant recognition early in her career, even before graduating from Falmouth College of Art, with notable works including portraits of The Rt. Hon. David Blunkett and Dr. Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury (<ref>https://research.kent.ac.uk/marlowe-works/person/lorna-may-wadsworth/<ref>) (<ref>https://www.bigissuenorth.com/centre-stage/2019/11/preview-lorna-may-wadsworth/#close<ref>) (<ref>https://www.culturalheritagedigitisation.co.uk/lorna-may-wadsworth<ref>).

Artistic Style and Themes

Wadsworth has expressed that her underlying narrative revolves around the female gaze, challenging the traditional male-dominated views in art history. She believes in offering fresh interpretations and perspectives through her work, as demonstrated in her diverse and empathetic portrayals (<ref>Liz Waring, Laura Freeman, Philip Mould OBE, Laurie Lewis, Dr Sophie Kelly, (2020) 'Lorna May Wadsworth: A Retrospective, Grave Gallery.<ref>).

She frequently challenges and inverts traditional representations, particularly focusing on the power dynamics within the artist-subject relationship. Her "Beautiful Boys" series is a prominent example, where she reverses the traditional male gaze by placing male subjects in positions of display traditionally occupied by women(<ref>https://research.kent.ac.uk/marlowe-works/person/lorna-may-wadsworth/<ref>) (<ref>https://www.artnet.com/artists/lorna-may-wadsworth/biography#:~:text=URL%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.artnet.com%2Fartists%2Florna,100<ref>).

Her use of various techniques and materials, from classical oil painting to gold leaf and fluorescent neon paint, showcases her versatility and innovation. This blend of traditional and modern elements allows her to create works that are both historically resonant and contemporarily relevant (<ref>https://www.bigissuenorth.com/centre-stage/2019/11/preview-lorna-may-wadsworth/#close<ref>).

Notable Works

• Margaret Thatcher (2007): Wadsworth's portrait of Margaret Thatcher, based on five life sittings, is one of her most celebrated works. It captures the former Prime Minister's formidable public persona alongside a more vulnerable, private side. This portrait is noted for its depth and sensitivity, reflecting both Thatcher's strength and her fragility (<ref>https://research.kent.ac.uk/marlowe-works/person/lorna-may-wadsworth/<ref>) (<ref>https://www.bigissuenorth.com/centre-stage/2019/11/preview-lorna-may-wadsworth/#close<ref>) and was unveiled in the House of Commons before being installed in Tory Party HQ.
• A Last Supper (2009): Wadsworth's reinterpretation of Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper," featuring a black Christ, exemplifies her commitment to updating classical art traditions to reflect contemporary issues and perspectives. The 12-foot-long oil painting was created on aluminum and is permanently installed in St George's Church in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire. Wadsworth created the painting to challenge the commonly held Western image of Jesus with fair hair and blue eyes, using Jamaican-born fashion model Tafari Hinds as the model for Jesus and bringing a fresh perspective to the traditional portrayal of Christ (<ref>https://research.kent.ac.uk/marlowe-works/person/lorna-may-wadsworth/<ref>) (<ref>https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/cathedral-last-supper-jesus-black-man-a4484561.html<ref>) (<ref>https://www.christianpost.com/news/black-jesus-painting-to-be-displayed-at-st-albans-cathedral-in-the-uk.html<ref>) (<ref>https://www.hindustantimes.com/art-and-culture/a-last-supper-black-jesus-painting-to-be-installed-in-one-of-uk-s-oldest-cathedrals/story-tlmlYIh20UYdKyEsdY71XP.html<ref>).
• Dr Rowan Williams (2019): Wadsworth's series of portraits of Dr Rowan Williams reveal the humanity of a man whose life has been shaped by religion, philosophy, language and culture of an ancient mythical past. (<ref>Liz Waring, Laura Freeman, Philip Mould OBE, Laurie Lewis, Dr Sophie Kelly, (2020) 'Lorna May Wadsworth: A Retrospective, Grave Gallery.<ref>).
• Neil Gaiman (2016–2018): Her series of portraits of Neil Gaiman includes "Big Neil," a two-meter large head, and "The Book of Neil Gaiman," a life-size rendering in beeswax on prehistoric bog oak. These works highlight her innovative approach to materials and her ability to capture the mythological essence of her subjects (<ref>https://research.kent.ac.uk/marlowe-works/person/lorna-may-wadsworth/<ref>) (<ref>https://www.bigissuenorth.com/centre-stage/2019/11/preview-lorna-may-wadsworth/#close<ref>)

Retrospective, Exhibitions and Artist in Residence

A major retrospective of her work was held at Graves Gallery in Sheffield in 2019. This exhibition brought together key pieces from her 25-year career, including portraits of actors Michael Sheen and David Tennant, author Neil Gaiman, and former Prime Minister Tony Blair (<ref>https://www.bigissuenorth.com/centre-stage/2019/11/preview-lorna-may-wadsworth/#close<ref>)

Solo and group exhibitions include:

• The Empire Gallery, 'Beautiful Boys', (2007)
• St Martin-in-the-Fields, 'A Last Supper/Sacred or Profane?', (2010)
• Philip Mould Gallery, 'The Milliner', (2018)
• Graves Gallery, 'Lorna May Wadsworth: A Retrospective', (2019–2020)

Artist in Residences:

• The Labour Party Conference (2003)

Media Coverage of "The Last Supper"

Wadsworth's "A Last Supper" gained significant media attention in 2019 when it was discovered that the painting had been shot while it was on display at St George's Church. The damage was poignantly located on Christ's right side, reminiscent of the wound inflicted by the Roman centurion Longinus during the Crucifixion (<ref>https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/cathedral-last-supper-jesus-black-man-a4484561.html<ref>).

The painting sparked discussions on racial and historical representations of Jesus when a print was displayed in St Albans Cathedral in 2020 as a part of the Black Lives Matter movement, emphasizing inclusivity and diversity within religious iconography (<ref>https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/cathedral-last-supper-jesus-black-man-a4484561.html<ref>) (<ref>https://www.christianpost.com/news/black-jesus-painting-to-be-displayed-at-st-albans-cathedral-in-the-uk.html<ref>). The painting's installation was accompanied by discussions on racial justice and the depiction of holy figures, drawing praise and generating conversation within and beyond the art community (<ref>https://www.christianpost.com/news/black-jesus-painting-to-be-displayed-at-st-albans-cathedral-in-the-uk.html<ref>) (<ref>https://www.hindustantimes.com/art-and-culture/a-last-supper-black-jesus-painting-to-be-installed-in-one-of-uk-s-oldest-cathedrals/story-tlmlYIh20UYdKyEsdY71XP.html<ref>).

Personal Life

Wadsworth lives and work in London, where she maintains a studio in Hackney. She is involved in various artistic communities and often participates in discussions and panels about the role of portraiture in modern art (<ref>https://www.tomoliverpayne.com/blog/2017/11/9/rd56vupj3ps3ga92noxrta2g10vdcf<ref>).

Legacy and Impact

Wadsworth continues to push the boundaries of portrait art, blending empathy and sensitivity with a critical approach to traditional artistic conventions (<ref>https://www.culturalheritagedigitisation.co.uk/lorna-may-wadsworth<ref>). Her ability to capture the essence of her subjects while addressing broader socio-political themes has solidified her place as a significant figure in contemporary British art (<ref>https://research.kent.ac.uk/marlowe-works/person/lorna-may-wadsworth/<ref>) (<ref>https://www.bigissuenorth.com/centre-stage/2019/11/preview-lorna-may-wadsworth/#close<ref>).

External Links

• Official Website