The antidotes
After years of painting portraits from curated selfies – all perfect teeth, false lashes, and dubious filtered charm – I needed a break from the tyranny of prettiness. This series is my antidote: a playful rebellion against the performative smile and the pressure to be appealing. Inspired by Victorian photographs where women look furious, tearful, deadpan, or gleefully grotesque, these works celebrate the unpolished and unbothered. “Antidote” was once a slur for an unattractive woman; here, it’s a sly badge of defiance.
Well now
30x42cm (A3)
Pencil and acrylic on archival paper
Whimper
21x30cm (A4)
Pencil and acrylic on archival paper
What?!
30x42cm (A3)
Pencil and acrylic on archival paper
Yes, I’m very important
21x30cm (A4)
Pencil and acrylic on archival paper
Cross-eyed
21x30cm (A4)
Pencil and acrylic on archival paper
Are we done?
21x30cm (A4)
Pencil and acrylic on archival paper
Giggle
21x30cm (A4)
Pencil and acrylic on archival paper
Frizzy Lizzy lets her hair down
21x30cm (A4)
Pencil and acrylic on archival paper
Sneer
21x30cm (A4)
Pencil and acrylic on archival paper
Who farted?
30x42cm (A3)
Pencil and acrylic on archival paper
Silly
21x30cm (A4)
Pencil and acrylic on archival paper
Scowl
21x30cm (A4)
Pencil and acrylic on archival paper
Do you have an appointment?
21x30cm (A4)
Pencil and acrylic on archival paper
Suspicious
30x42cm (A3)
Pencil and acrylic on archival paper
So very very extremely bored
21x30cm (A4)
Pencil and acrylic on archival paper
And now I shall read you my favourite sermon
30x42cm (A3)
Pencil and acrylic on archival paper
One moment please
30x42cm (A3)
Pencil and acrylic on archival paper
On the shelf
21x30cm (A4)
Pencil and acrylic on archival paper
Nose-picker
21x30cm (A4)
Pencil and acrylic on archival paper
Nope
30x42cm (A3)
Pencil and acrylic on archival paper
Me and my fancy hat
30x42cm (A3)
Pencil and acrylic on archival paper
Wailer
21x30cm (A4)
Pencil and acrylic on archival paper
Wicked
21x30cm (A4)
Pencil and acrylic on archival paper
