The subject of Kiran Millwood Hargrave is undeniably fraught with emotional complexity. Her husband, Tom de Freston, the painter behind the upcoming exhibition Poíēsis, has poured his heart and soul into capturing her essence – both during pregnancy and in moments of profound loss.
For de Freston, it's essential to explore the intricacies of the male gaze, particularly when it comes to depicting female figures. "You're trying to get to this figure, or to their unseen internal world," he explains, highlighting the tension between the artist's desire to understand and represent his subject versus the impossibility of truly grasping her inner reality.
The inspiration behind Poíēsis stems from Titian's Poesie series, commissioned by King Philip II of Spain. These works, de Freston notes, not only fetishize the female form but also contain layers of meaning that probe morality and power. De Freston's own interpretation seeks to reframe this dynamic, presenting a more empathetic and collaborative relationship between artist and subject.
Millwood Hargrave, the novelist and artist herself, is acutely aware of the potential risks associated with such intimate portrayals. Yet, she describes de Freston's approach as "beautiful" and attributes it to their mutually supportive partnership. The photographs that serve as the basis for these paintings were taken in their domestic space during her pregnancies – a testament to the trust and comfort they share.
The emotional weight of de Freston's previous work is palpable, having explored themes of grief and loss in his acclaimed book Strange Bodies. These new pieces, however, convey a sense of hope and ritualistic intent. "I think of them as spells," he says, highlighting their connection to magical thinking and the power of prayer.
As Poíēsis prepares to debut at Varvara Roza Galleries, London, from November 30th to December 20th, these large-scale paintings promise to captivate audiences with their emotional depth and intimacy.
For de Freston, it's essential to explore the intricacies of the male gaze, particularly when it comes to depicting female figures. "You're trying to get to this figure, or to their unseen internal world," he explains, highlighting the tension between the artist's desire to understand and represent his subject versus the impossibility of truly grasping her inner reality.
The inspiration behind Poíēsis stems from Titian's Poesie series, commissioned by King Philip II of Spain. These works, de Freston notes, not only fetishize the female form but also contain layers of meaning that probe morality and power. De Freston's own interpretation seeks to reframe this dynamic, presenting a more empathetic and collaborative relationship between artist and subject.
Millwood Hargrave, the novelist and artist herself, is acutely aware of the potential risks associated with such intimate portrayals. Yet, she describes de Freston's approach as "beautiful" and attributes it to their mutually supportive partnership. The photographs that serve as the basis for these paintings were taken in their domestic space during her pregnancies – a testament to the trust and comfort they share.
The emotional weight of de Freston's previous work is palpable, having explored themes of grief and loss in his acclaimed book Strange Bodies. These new pieces, however, convey a sense of hope and ritualistic intent. "I think of them as spells," he says, highlighting their connection to magical thinking and the power of prayer.
As Poíēsis prepares to debut at Varvara Roza Galleries, London, from November 30th to December 20th, these large-scale paintings promise to captivate audiences with their emotional depth and intimacy.
!! it's amazing how Tom de Freston is trying to break free from the traditional male gaze and create a more empathetic relationship with his wife Kiran Millwood Hargrave... I feel like that's really important for art right now 
. and i love how he's drawing inspiration from Titian's works, it's like he's taking this old masters vibe and giving it a modern twist 
. can't wait to see the final result of Poíēsis in london 
! I love how Tom de Freston is using art as a way to capture her essence and explore the complexities of the male gaze 
. It's beautiful that he's trying to create a more empathetic and collaborative relationship between artist and subject 
. And can we talk about how inspiring it is that she trusts him enough to share those intimate moments during pregnancy? 
. I'm also loving the connection he's making with Titian's Poesie series - it's like they're carrying on a conversation across time and art 
... i mean, de Freston's idea of exploring the male gaze and capturing Millwood Hargrave's essence without truly understanding her inner world is really thought-provoking 
... but also kinda scary, you know? 
... i'm not sure if Millwood Hargrave is totally comfortable with all this intimate portrayal of herself on display 
... anyway, can't wait to see these large-scale paintings come to life in London this winter 
!
. Tom de Freston's Poíēsis series is all about flipping the script and giving women agency in the artistic process – it's like, finally, we get to see ourselves as more than just a subject for the artist's eyes 
. The way he talks about reframing the dynamic between artist and subject is so on point 
.
I love how he's exploring the male gaze and trying to represent Kiran on a deeper level – it's not always easy, but the results are so worth it! 
. And I love that he sees his art as "spells" 
!
. It's crazy to think about how much emotional weight he's put into his previous book Strange Bodies, but now it sounds like he's trying to shift that focus towards hope and ritualistic intent 
It's amazing how Tom de Freston has captured her essence in his paintings, especially during those special moments of pregnancy 
. It's beautiful to see Tom and Kiran working together as a team, sharing their trust and comfort with each other 
! And Tom de Freston's approach to capturing her essence? 
.
But hey, it's all about reframing the narrative and creating something new. And with Millwood Hargrave's novels being all about exploring the human condition 
, I can see why their partnership is so powerful.