A Tender Disco — Plaything Playhouse observes and mocks the inveterate feminine daily performance of complying with social conduct. This ritualistic routine often functions under the veil of etiquette and habit, almost a communion to the gods of social convention. Frances considers this as mimicking a dance routine or a puppet performing. There’s a reason why the viral TikTok trend of ‘to be a woman is to perform’ has taken off. Elements of this performance can serve us and satisfy our identity, other elements can feel directed by an omnipotent social force greater than us.
This exhibition references the later collage work of Henri Matisse and his heavily reproduced and revered body of work, which observes paid female muses in an act of posed performance.
In Frances’ work, she subverts this dynamic and often places herself in the role of ‘observed muse’. She references herself, her partner and her friends mimicking acts of daily pantomime — of partnered performance, self-monitoring and introspection — the disco of our social roles.
Materially, Frances treats her figures like dolls by cutting and pasting figures contained within paper sets. She has also reproduced these snapshots of paper dolls in paper sets within brightly rendered paintings — a still of a plaything in her playhouse. The doll’s partner may make an appearance, or she may be looking at herself in the mirror or consciously being observed.
A Tender Disco — Plaything Playhouse is ultimately an observation of the elements of feminine performance that can either feel tender and personal or counterfeit and confused.
Frances Edwina Powell (she/her) is an emerging artist and arts facilitator based in Meanjin (Brisbane), Australia. She explores the ideas of the body, relationships, performance and home, primarily working on paper. Frances often references figure drawing, abstract shapes and colour associations within her work. Working from her home studio, she crafts collages and illustrative oil paintings that explore form and concept. Her practice is often informed by material and process, letting her thoughts percolate as she engages with tangible materials.
Frances studied a Bachelor of Fine Art (Studio) and Business (Marketing) at the Queensland College of Art, graduating in 2021. Currently, Frances works within the visual arts industry as a Co-Founder of a community-focused Life Drawing Studio, facilitating arts events and workshops.
