Flesh is monumental in Jenny Saville’s paintings, something
you can only truly appreciate when you’re dwarfed by a two metre high
canvas that’s been slathered, scraped and smeared in fleshy tones and
visceral reds.
Nothing beats seeing her paintings for real, yet this is her first
exhibition in a public gallery in the UK since she hatched fully formed
and critically acclaimed from the YBA hype of the 90s. A studio dweller
rather than a publicity magnet, Saville has developed a body of work
that’s as much about the anatomy of paint itself as it is about the
anatomy of the (mostly female) body, and the results are both stark and
intricate.
Ask today’s upcoming painters who inspires them and many will name
check Saville. Along with this solo show at Modern Art Oxford, two of
her drawings sit alongside the likes of Titian and Veronese at the
Ashmolean. Not many contemporary artists could hold their nerve in such
company, but Saville does.
i-D online’s Laura Bushell met Saville at the gallery to talk about YBAs, bodies and babies.
Jenny Saville is at Modern Art Oxford and The Ashmolean Museum until 16th September 2012
Text and Film: Laura Bushell
Music: Peppi Knott
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