Paige Uttley-Plunkett: Drawing Project- Artist Statement

My work aims to depict a spiritual presence of the unborn fetus. I am intrigued by the amniotic fluid surrounding an unborn baby in the womb, and the protection this fluid offers. I tend to incorporate fluidity within my work symbolizing movement highlighting growth and natural movement within the womb. I have layered my materials to create a depth of perspective and space between the viewer which highlighting its personal space protecting the subject. The materials aim to create a subtle presence moving gently amongst the surroundings, experiencing suggestive to growth highlighting essences of nostalgia.

I was inspired by a personal result of my brother’s girlfriend becoming pregnant, as I often deal with the subject of death in my earlier work; I now wished to explore a contrasting topic.

My installation has been inspired by the work of artist Chihura Shiota and The Hunterian Museum in particular “Earth and Blood” as she incorporates blood and fluids as a response to her own miscarriage. The Hunterian Museum preserves human body within jars, which I found overwhelming as they almost protect delicate subjects within a liquid form reflecting the amniotic fluid.