Over and above the technical skill evident in the outstanding photo-realistic portraits, there is a more philosophical concept at the heart of the work. Andrews explores the notion of self-image and how we see ourselves and, of course, how others perceive us, suggesting that there is something inherently voyeuristic about our culture. What is therefore interesting about Head No. 1 is that the gaze is averted from the viewer, as though we are in some way unwelcome or witnessing a private moment. Intriguingly, the artist has imposed certain restrictive parameters on these portraits: there is no idealisation of the subject, no room for interpretation; the portrait can be seen as confrontational but also as an intimate study of the person.
Andrews is taking these concepts a stage further in his current Arts Council funded project (yet to be exhibited publicly) called ‘Seeing Ourselves’. He is working with the artist gardeners at Wysing Arts, Bourn, who are a group of people with different physical characteristics associated with their particular disability. It is a portraiture project aiming to create awareness of our preconceptions and misconceptions of people, urging the viewer not to judge others at face value.
t: 07816 489074 e: jeremy_andrews@hotmail.co.uk
