Moyna Flannigan. Earth Sky Body

About

Their single or grouped presence, in a barren, darkened landscape is as a solitary or multiple set of sculptural icons, reminding us of Giacometti and like his bronzes, Flannigan's figures are materially present to the viewer. The skilful execution of their barren settings matches that of the figures and recalls the sparse, but intentionally precise settings for productions of Samuel Beckett plays. Not a single brushstroke is wasted. The artist refers to Beckett 'paring down language and content' and she, too, achieves this distillation with exemplary assurance.

Flannigan's figures are often sensual, bordering on the erotic. There is an interplay of signals, with limbs, breasts, arched positions, gazing faces compelling the viewer to a reflection that s/he might hesitate in pursuing. What, for instance is occurring in Hold onto your structure? One arm is flung out, fingers splayed, in open contrast to the other, which disappears ambiguously into the 'structure'. Other figures, as in Memphis, maintain a firm distance from the viewer and if the subjects, in their confident couture, hint at a Gothic turn, the ever-present barren setting conceals from the viewer any easy reading of their intent.