Two of Shanna’s pieces have been selected for display in an exhibition organised by Vault Collective and System Gallery in Newcastle upon Tyne (UK). The exhibition Transcribe/Translate features eight practitioners from various disciplines who give their own interpretation of pre-20th century artworks.
The Potato Eaters of Today (2008) is one of Shanna’s earlier works and offers a fresh take on Van Gogh’s Potato Eaters (1885). Using photography as a medium instead of painting, it transforms the 19th century farmer’s reality into a contemporary version that is equally bleak, or arguably even worse. The odd group of people gathered around an asymmetric table consume mass-produced crisps and coke. However, in contrast to the farmers in the original painting, who are drinking the coffee and eating the potatoes that they themselves have grown, their modern counterparts are unaware where their food actually comes from. Only the dog seems to know better, but even it is looking away in contempt and disgust.
The piece is part of a limited edition of 10 and comes with the frame. For enquiries regarding purchase, please contact the gallery.
The brand new sculptural installation, Her Invisible Dedication (2016) is inspired by Vermeer’s The Lacemaker (1669-1670). In this recontextualisation, the lacemaker’s work that cannot be seen by the viewer has acquired three dimensions and is blown up to a significantly larger scale. In the original painting, it is the lacemaker on which the attention of the painter is focused, whereas the lace she is working on is practically invisible. What was lying on her pillow is now very hard to miss.
For enquiries regarding purchase, please contact the gallery.
Transcribe/Translate can be visited from 28 October – 26 November 2016 at System Gallery, 22-24 Leazes Park Road, Newcastle upon Tyne (UK). Opening hours: Tue-Sat 12-6pm / Sun-Mon 3-6pm.