Restraining Coat II (Female)
Artist
Julie Roberts
(Flint, Wales, born 1963)
Date1995
Mediumoil and acrylic on canvas
ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings
Dimensions152.4 × 152.4 × 5cm
AcquisitionPurchased in 1996 with assistance from the Scottish Arts Council.
Copyright© Julie Roberts (2002)
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG011970
About MeIn 1988 Julie Roberts graduated from Glasgow School of Art and has exhibited widely both in Britain and abroad ever since. Her work was particularly well received at the opening of the Venice Bienniele in 1993 and since then her career has gone from strength to strength.Roberts' earlier work concentrated on medical images and this painting can be considered as a continuation of this theme. However, where her previous works dealt with medical instruments, there is a ghostly quality about her recent paintings. Human presence is implied but there is nobody there - only the aura of an object. When Restraining Coat II (Female) 1995 was exhibited at the British Art Show the artist said of her work; I deal with the body all the time. The fact that it is removed doesn't mean that it is not there. There is a trace of it often.
This painting is typical of the art of Julie Roberts where a meticulously detailed object is delineated in the foreground. This is emphasised by the flat, two-toned, striped background, making an illusionistic, eerie and unforgettable image.
As part of Aberdeen Art Gallery’s plus music playlists, Art Chat is an engaging series of short audio interpretations offering children’s perspectives of individual artworks. Young peoples’ voices are an integral part of the community and we wanted to offer primary aged learners the opportunity to voice their thoughts and opinions about a selection of artworks from the Aberdeen Art Gallery collection.
Learners from Aberdeen’s Quarryhill School took part in discussions and activities to look for themes, symbols and clues within a selection of artworks. Learners were given the opportunity to work co-operatively with their classmates and gallery staff to explore their thoughts and feelings by responding to real works of art at Aberdeen Treasure Hub. These activities supported creative skills and helped to build learners’ confidence in talking about art.
Alongside the image of this object you can now listen to their interpretation of Roberts' work.
More About Me
There is something disconcerting about this painting which presents the subject as a thing of beauty but is actually a garment - a straitjacket - associated with deep unhappiness.
Exhibitions
1920s
1937
Sir George Reid
Sir George Reid
