From Legal Eagle to Artistic Alchemist
Growing up in the north of England, Gillian HoldingPaul’s early years were marked by a fervent desire to escape. Her journey took her through a prestigious legal career, becoming a partner at a major law firm while simultaneously raising four children. This context of diverse professional and personal experiences considerably shapes his art. As a child of the ’60s who embraced the freedoms of the ’70s, Holding’s worldview was further sculpted by his work in Paris and London in the ’80s and ’90s. However, it was the seismic events of September 11, the banking crisis and Brexit which profoundly changed his perspective, ultimately fueling his transition from law to art. These historical and personal upheavals constitute a rich tapestry, profoundly influencing his artistic expressions and themes.
The pivotal moment that redirected Holding’s path was a life/work crisis. Although she had always harbored a passion for drawing and painting, it was this crisis that pushed her to pursue art full-time. Initially, she found success in portrait commissions, but soon realized the need to break free from external expectations. This led her back to academia, where she earned a degree in fine arts. It was during this time that she learned to embrace risk, failure, and unfettered exploration. The process of unlearning after graduation was crucial for her, as it allowed her to discover and cultivate her true artistic identity, without being influenced by the perceptions of others.
Holding’s transition from law to art reflects his intrinsic need for creative freedom. His early work was cautious, aiming to meet the expectations of others, but his studies and later practice taught him to value spontaneity and intuition. This transformation underscores his belief in art as a means of self-discovery and personal expression. His legal training, coupled with his experiences of world events, enriches his artistic narrative, imbuing it with a sense of historical awareness and personal reflection.
Gillian Holding: Facing uncertainty and the unexpected
Holding’s artistic style is characterized by a vibrant play of colors and lines. Describing herself as a “pictorial designer,” she navigates the tension between making structured marks and the organic flow of painting. This dynamic gives his work its unique distinctiveness, with some pieces emphasizing free-form paint application and others featuring intricate drawing with paint. His approach is unplanned, motivated by his emotions of the moment, leading to diverse results even within a single exhibition.
The theme of uncertainty and the unexpected is at the heart of Holding’s work. She believes that the unpredictable nature of her process reflects the surreal contradictions of contemporary society. In a world dominated by post-truth narratives and contradictory realities, his art invites the viewer to confront these paradoxes. The daily barrage of “reality” mediated by social and mainstream media creates a feeling of alienation and fragility. Holding’s work, with its inherent dissonance, reflects these feelings, offering a visual commentary on the disorienting nature of modern existence.
His exploration of these themes is not limited to the canvas. Holding’s art is an invitation to consider the broader implications of living in a digital world. The surreal quality of his images encourages viewers to question the nature of reality and the place they occupy in it. This engagement with the unexpected and uncertain is a central aspect of his artistic philosophy, making his work both thought-provoking and deeply resonant.
The creative sanctuary: creating the ideal workspace
For Holding, the physical space in which she creates is essential. A large, well-lit studio gives him the freedom to work on large canvases and move freely to view his work from different perspectives. His workspace is meticulously organized, with paints arranged by color groups and a large trestle table serving as his palette. This environment meets his need for a focused and uninterrupted creative process.
Holding prefers silence to music, finding that it helps him maintain concentration. She knows how to avoid distractions, with notifications permanently turned off and a preference for days without meetings or appointments. This disciplined approach allows him to fully immerse himself in his work, entering a state of fluidity where time seems to disappear and creativity takes over.
The structure of his workspace reflects his approach to art. Just as she seeks to create without constraints, her studio offers her the freedom and resources to fully explore her ideas. This balance between organization and freedom is crucial to his creative process, allowing him to produce work that is both technically proficient and deeply expressive.
Gillian Holding: Inspirations and aspirations
Holding’s influences span a wide spectrum, from writers to visual artists. The absurdity of everyday life, a recurring theme in his work, finds resonance in the writings of Guy Debord, Merleau-Ponty and Georges Perec. Philosophers like Walter Benjamin and Hannah Arendt also left a significant mark on its intellectual landscape. Visually, she draws inspiration from Marlene Dumas and William Kentridge for their mastery of media and political consciousness, from Paula Rego for her narrative prowess, and from Nalini Malani for her figurative innovation. Lynette Yiadom-Boakye’s bold brushwork and striking compositions also captivate Holding.
A work that is of particular importance to Holding is “The Painter” by Marlène Dumas (1994). Exhibited at the Tate Modern, this work had a profound impact on her, with its ethereal paint manipulation, risk-taking and evocative depiction of a young child. Holding’s repeated visits to this exhibition underscore his deep appreciation for Dumas’s ability to convey complex emotions with minimalist yet powerful brushstrokes.
For the future, Holding dreams of a project that amplifies the scale and freedom of its work. She imagines an empty room, a huge canvas and large pots of paint, allowing her to explore the full extent of her creativity without constraints. This aspiration reflects his ongoing quest for artistic liberation and his desire to push the boundaries of his practice.
