Alex Beckinsale
Comfort
CCH Gallery, SpARC, Modbury Hospital
13 December 2021 – 7 April 2022
Hand gestures are a fundamental part of human expression and interaction. We use our hands to interact with the world and to convey emotions, they are often how we seek support and express affection for others. When we are unsettled, or uncomfortable humans often use self-soothing hand gestures to bring a sense of comfort and stability to uncertain situations.
In this body of work, I chose to focus on a range of hand gestures that I, and others in my life perform in seeking comfort. These are small moments, simple actions that melt into the everyday. However, it is in their simplicity, in the mundane ritualistic nature that these gestures are precious. Holding a hot cup of coffee in the morning, running a bath, patting a sleepy cat, reaching for your partner’s hand. These small, delicate moments are brief, but they are some of the most valuable in our experience of being human.
I come from a family with a strong health background. Some of my earliest memories are of sitting on my mum’s lap while she studied for her medical exams. Due to this influence, I’ve always had an interest in portraying the human figure through art. I believe that this portrayal can provide insight into different human experiences and encourage conversations about both physical and mental health.
Alex Beckinsale is an emerging artist whose work is inspired by strange narratives, folklore, and popular culture. She graduated from Adelaide Central School of Art with a Bachelor of Visual Art (Honours) in 2016. She focuses on figurative art and portraiture, often constructing otherworldly and mysterious situations in her work.