Linder has been a pioneer in multiple fields throughout the history of her artistic career. A central figure in the punk and postpunk scenes of 1970s and 80s Manchester, Linder formed the band ‘Ludus’ and gained prominence for her artwork that featured on the single of ‘Orgasm Addict’ by the Buzzcocks. Her work has always been assertive and exuberant but often with a playful edge. Commonly known for her photomontages and photography, the artist takes material out of disparate, modern printed works, from shop catalogues to pornographic magazines. The mix of the two, the commercial and the pornographic, show the underlying societal associations between sex, beauty, and a model life under consumerism and capitalism.
Following the themes of these works, Origin of the World (2016) is a surrealist artwork with masses of detail to unpack. A photomontage, the piece depicts two figures, male and female, in a scene calling forth classical imagery of Adam and Eve. However, the nudity of these figures juxtaposes with that of classical painting, with both seemingly being cut from erotic magazine pages. As noted by the artist, there is a disconnect between these two figures as their gazes do not match, where the female figure gains a form of power and agency from her direct eye contact with the viewer, the queer male body instead gains his autonomy through the power of his stance, marking an interesting reflection on societal codes and practices in both gender and sexuality.
The gallery prides itself on having a collection encompassing most major artists that have come from the Wirral and the Merseyside. However, this boast cannot be fully upheld without having any of Linder’s works in the collection. During a review of the gallery’s holdings of nudes, it was found that out of over 700 nude artworks, just two were by female artists. As such, our collection is firmly rooted in the male gaze and our figurative works have historically not reflected a broad swathe of artists and their own lived experiences. This piece will contrast to the themes of our historic collection, boldly challenging the traditions of life drawing and artistic practices that were taught at the academies and schools of the collection’s artists. With its bold visual style and questions and reflections on gender, sexuality, and sensuality, Origin of the World is a bold and powerful addition to the Williamson collection.
(Text by Josh Mackarell, Collections Manager, Williamson Art Gallery & Museum, Birkenhead (Wirral Museums Service)
