Susan Kellaway (b. 2002) is proudly from the North West and is currently in her final year studying Fine Art at The Ruskin School of Art, Oxford. Her artistic practice revolves around the intricacies and intimacy of girlhood, strongly influenced by her own experiences at a Catholic High School. Where teachers would brand girls as a 'slag’ for rolling up their skirts or laddering their tights, while Jesus, clad in a short loincloth was on every classroom wall. The irony of it burnt up a childish temper within Susan, a sentiment she revisits in her work, using symbolism and humour, she grapples with the oddness of adolescence.
The painting serves as a reimagining of a Catholic parable, from which it draws its title. It depicts women shuffling around their Costa del Sol holiday with the sign of the cross stained onto their sunburnt faces. "Yours Faithfully, the Barmy Army."
@nudiesrudies00
Awarded the Mapleton-Bree Prize for work in the Creative Arts (2023)
Shortlisted for the John Morris RSA Anatomy Prize (2022) and the Ironstone Art Prize (2023)
40 Days and 40 Nights is available to purchase here.
