The second you stumble upon the High Street coffee shop and find yourself amongst the Sara Winfield “I Disperse You” exhibition at Feast Your Eyes, you are struck by the confronting nature of the skeletal feminine figures. The outlines form mythical creatures featuring human characteristics, and that of the stereotypical alien that popular culture holds. The eyes of the figures bulge out at you, captivating, and almost demanding your full attention.

The titles of each piece follow from each previous piece of artwork and are one-worded or a short phrase. The titles are similar in that they evoke a contemplative mentality, which suit the brooding nature of the characters in the paintings. The exhibition centers in on femininity and a sort of composed vitality seems to reverberate from the images. Undoubtedly discharging energy is a recurring theme throughout the works. It is depicted by dots, mirroring that of aboriginal art, surrounding the outlines of the gaunt melancholic figures.

A similar colour scheme is used throughout the works. Light pink and beige make up the skin colour and surrounding ambience of the main figure. Brighter hues drip down the creatures forming tears or the ends of limbs as though liquid were pouring straight from their skin. The outlines are dark and pointed. Sara Winfield asserts that the initial drawing element “is integral in the mood and concept”.

Sara Winfield mentions “unresolved feeling” to be thematically integral to her art. The pieces do evoke a lingering feeling. The longer you gaze, the more the figures seem to waste away as their skeletons appear more and more defined – truly a feast for your eyes.

By Sally Hughes

Photography by Belinda Gibson