Julia Giles

Julia Giles has lived in London for about 20 years, but returns regularly to west Cornwall to visit family on the farm where she grew up. The agricultural landscape of the area remains a starting point for much of her work, and since 2005 she has been a member of the Newlyn Society of Artists. She has shown in Cornwall, the South-West, and in various locations in London and the South-East.

Her largest body of work comprises photos of her shadow in the landscape. Many of these photographs are organised using the principle of the grid (e.g. Rotation: December Field (picture below) and are reminiscent of Land Art from the early 70s, most notably the Dutch conceptual artist Jan Dibbets.

By repeatedly using her own shadow in the work, Giles introduces a new autobiographical element, however, and fragments of narrative and symbolism become overlayed and written into the landscape underneath it. This occurs most powerfully in the works: 'Blue Heart Figure' and 'Split Figure' (pictures below).

In composite photographs like the 5 panels of 'Shadow Absorbed' or the 4 of 'Shadow Pathway' (pictures below), her shadow can be seen moving across the landscape in response to the sun's own movements.  Although these works emphasise the feeling of time passing, and therefore the presence of other more mystical cosmic forces, the tone remains joyful: for like Hilton's dancing women or the Cerne Abbas giant itself, her shadow is depicted actually waving back at her.

Giles has also made drawings from maize leaves moving in the wind (eg 'Wind Drawing 3' - (below)), and photos of drawings in the landscape as they change in the light (Line: Day 1 (below)). Her exploration of mark-making possibilities within the landscape itself have subsequently informed the development of her painting.

Art from Cornwall was always inspired by the landscape, but in recent decades it has struggled to embrace new media and way of working. Giles' work helps us experience something that is deeply familiar, in new and thought-provoking ways.

For examples of more recent work - especially the painting - see www.mdxmafinalshow2006.co.uk