Elsie Yang
St Catherine's School
CARNASSIAL / CONSTRAINT
Painting
Gouache on paper, fineliner pen on paper
In my body of work, I investigate the tension between the primal and the constructed, using teeth as a central motif to convey a raw form of aggression and vulnerability. Teeth are markers of what is animal within us. The nuances of my concept developed from the very act of repetitively and methodically painting teeth, gum and fur; this revealed to me the recurring anatomical structures between vastly different animals. By juxtaposing these natural forms with human inventions, my intention is to examine society's discomfort with the body's natural state and the compulsion to restrain or 'civilise' what is innate.
My artmaking practice has been influenced by the study and interpretation of the following artists: Dusty Ray [Instagram and TikTok], Kim Jakobsson, Louise Hearman, Peter Booth.
Marker's Commentary
This playful and eye catching body of work presents an anatomical investigation of blade-like teeth in carnivorous mammals used for shearing and slicing through flesh. The works explore the primal connection between humans and animals, placing the audience face-to-face with the raw power of these mammals in their most untamed state. At the same time, the imagery offers a distinctly human perspective through the inclusion of human teeth, not open and savage, but closed and tamed by braces, symbolising humanity’s attempt to control, refine, and distance itself from its primal instincts in the pursuit of civility. Fine line drawings beneath the paintings reference the tools and instruments used in this process, highlighting the tension between our animal instincts and the refined identities we strive to construct.
The series demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of gouache as a medium through the confident handling of paint and refined material practice. Distinctive brushwork and a controlled tonal range create a rich variety of textures that convincingly capture the fleshy surfaces of mouths, gums and fur textures. The decision to employ tightly cropped compositions intensifies the confronting nature of the imagery, heightening the dramatic presence and power of the jaws. The inclusion of seven finely rendered black-and-white line drawings of dental tools reinforces the cold, clinical harshness associated with dental procedures, adding conceptual depth to the body of work. Throughout the series, the expressive and assured mark making reveals both technical competence and conceptual maturity.