At the edge of gesture, something slips.
These works hold moments in suspension—where a figure emerges but never quite arrives, where the body wavers between movement and stillness, where form is felt more than seen.
I’m drawn to states of transition. Not as subjects to be explained, but as conditions to be embodied: the pause before decision, the tension between knowing and unknowing, the quiet charge of becoming.
In this space of ambiguity, the unresolved is not a lack, but a presence.
“Gillian Holding’s artistic style is characterised by a vibrant interplay of color and line. Describing herself as a “painterly draughtsman,” she navigates the tension between structured mark- making and the organic flow of paint. This dynamic gives her work its unique distinctiveness, with some pieces emphasising freeform paint application and others showcasing intricate drawing with paint. Her approach is unplanned, driven by her emotions in the moment, leading to diverse outcomes even within a single exhibition.
Central to her work is the theme of uncertainty and the unexpected. She believes that the unpredictable nature of her process mirrors the surreal contradictions of contemporary society. In a world dominated by post-truth narratives and conflicting realities, her art invites viewers to confront these paradoxes. The daily barrage of mediated “reality” through social and mainstream media creates a sense of alienation and fragility. Gillian Holding’s work, with its inherent dissonance, reflects these feelings, offering a visual commentary on the disorienting nature of modern existence.” Aatonau! Nov 2024