Art Blog #41

Gemma Compton - Quick Bio

Gemma Compton is a contemporary artist living and working from Bristol in the UK. She has a First-Class (Hons) degree in fashion design achieved at U.W.E in 2008. She has exhibited her modern memento mori works internationally, from the gallery wall to fashion apparel and large scale murals.

Gemma writes:

My work always seems to fluctuate between subjects of life and death. I was a passenger in a serious RTA when I was 18. I sustained multiple injuries including breaking my spine and life went on hold for almost a year while I was in recovery. Art and creating became a huge focus for me to deal with what had happened and move forward. Now, over 20 years on I am left with scars and chronic pain but art has become the cornerstone of my life. My paintings explore the juxtaposition of the strength and fragility of life. I use motifs such as flowers and insects with short life cycles, and I paint a lot of birds, especially small song birds. Such tenacity in a small creature, it’s desire to survive, the fight or flight is fascinating. I call my works 'Memento Mori' even though I know they are not the still life of that traditional genre. But every time I paint and leave my mark, I feel grateful.

You can find more information at www.gemmacompton.com

Paul writes:

Gemma is an accomplished artist, whether that is painting street murals or transferring that graffiti/mural style to home art. Her style is surrealistic combined with pop art and feature themes such as death and rebirth in a unique style using nature heavily as symbolism. I admire her work a lot and her personal story is inspiring. we are looking to feature more of her thought-provoking and technically-skilled work in the future.