Detailed Statement

Pamela Stretton’s work explores a dynamic play between two elements, involving not only the visual binary of scale, but also the merging of digital photographic print mediums with handcrafted re-working. 

 

These works transform an intricately designed photographic print into the new aspect of a carefully arranged mosaic-like collage. The creative processes involve hours of composition in the digital space, which then make way for the practical and detailed technique of the artist’s hand. The visually appealing surface texture gives dimension to a work that is layered with meaning, as well as creative method. The result is a print with a difference.

 

Stretton hails from a print-making background, and currently lives and works in Capetown. She obtained a master’s degree, with distinction, in Fine Art from the University of Capetown in 2005. Her subject matter originated as a self-study focussing on feminine beauty ideals. Earlier works bring to light elements of scale, scrutiny, conformity and control. Her work has evolved gently in a few directions exploring amongst other things notions of consumerism, women’s roles in society, narcissism and plays on media and social media. By distorting her photographs into pixilated boxes, she is illustrating the way in which we distort our own reality by trying to conform to our cultural obsessions. This systematic method further serves to contextualize and establish her subject matter within a specific set of ideas.

 

She is represented by galleries and art consultancies in America, the UK and Europe, and her work appears in corporate and private collections worldwide. Some of her most recent work has moved into the commission sphere where she has produced custom pieces for numerous clients and corporates.