Fig 1. sketches from Gallagher (author's own)
These are quick sketches that I have produced at the exhibition. I also took notes of words that stood out in Gallagher's three pieces; 'Double Natural'-2002, 'Pomp-Bang'-2003 and 'Afrylic'-2004. These pieces were done on massive canvases, Gallagher used magazine images from the 1940s-70s and added plasticine to them, making the pieces stand out of the canvas and captivate the onlooker. These images reflect specific moments from black social history. These include advertisements for wigs, soaps, shampoos and skin creams. Phrases such as 'The prettiest "valentines" have LIGHTER BRIGHTER SKIN' and 'bleach glow' shows how far people would go in order to alter themselves when there's no need to do so at all! The pressure to look a certain way, because every other way is "imperfect" still exists today, and I suppose Gallagher sort of reminded us that unfortunately, so traits of history still remains.
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