Elsy

Catalog note / 解説

Gemma Anderson has made a speciality of scientific, medical and natural history subjects. Having shown a series of etched portraits that referred to the pseudo-scientific theories of physiognomy, phrenology and the 'doctrine of signatures' at her MA degree show at the RCA in 2007, Anderson met forensic psychiatrist Tim McInerny (the sitter in E.40-2011) and through him had the opportunity to work with patients and psychiatrists. She began by observing sessions between patients and psychiatrists, then conducting interviews with each sitter and asking them to complete a questionnaire. Thus she identified objects, plants and animals to characterise each sitter and represent - literally or meta…