helen pynor: liquid ground

‘breath’ by helen pynor GV art gallery, london, UK on now until july 2nd, 2011

‘liquid ground’ by helen pynor all images courtesy helen pynor and GV art gallery (above) ‘liquid ground 1’ c-type photographic print, face mounted on glass 160 x 110 cm image © helen pynor

conceived from her research into the numerous recorded cases of accidental drowning in london’s thames river, australian artist helen pynor has created ‘liquid ground’, a series of large-scale photographs which capture various water-buoyed garments expelling human organs from within its floating form. simultaneously haunting and surreal, the unexpected injection of internal organs into an otherwise dreamy underwater scene results in a collection of images that is arresting in both a visual and visceral manner.

pynor explores new ways in which we can relate to our body’s makeup by rejecting the celebration of gore and horror but drawing from both personal and cultural stories. utilizing phantom forms, the notion of the human body is approached in a highly sensitive and emotional manner despite the morbidity of the subject matter.

detail image © helen pynor

‘liquid ground 2’ c-type photographic print, face mounted on glass 160 x 110 cm image © helen pynor

detail image © helen pynor

‘liquid ground 3’ c-type photographic print, face mounted on glass 160 x 110 cm image © helen pynor

‘liquid ground 6’ c-type photographic print, face mounted on glass 160 x 110 cm image © helen pynor

detail image © helen pynor

‘liquid ground 4’ c-type photographic print, face mounted on glass 160 x 110 cm image © helen pynor