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| Photograph © Tony Ellwood |
| "Does Ellwood perceived the feminine as a power impossible to contain and to be dealt with caution?" |
Words by Zarina Holmes The Djinnesque is Tony Ellwood's attempt to understand the "multi-faceted aspect of the feminine and show many of her faces and guises". Djinnesque is a reference to the Genie or Djinn, a fiery supernatural creature of several mythologies both western and Arabic. Depending on how you feel about them, they are perceived as protective, or plain demonic – the demonic seeking to encourage the human to dabble in their dark side or make wishes generally based on ego-driven desires that once granted, prove to be less than desirable. At the photo preview, which took place at the Muse on February 3 2007, we saw in some of Ellwood's photographs female genies nailed on the wall mocking Christ, contorted torsos sliding out of a trunk or suspended in air - all playing tricks with our perception. While Ellwood's genies tease and taunt, they never reveal their intentions to the viewer. Ellwood avoids using flash in his photographs, employing only natural light, which took away the simulated studio feel. The results are surreal activities within serene, light-filled scenes very much like Vermeer's Renaissance paintings. "It's not about women, it's about the dynamics of a relationship with women," a male visitor reckoned.
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| Photograph © Tony Ellwood |
| "The Dijinnesque is not a dark comment on the female character. It is a celebration of its mercurial quality." |
Genies tricked humans by giving very literal and sometimes randomly placed fulfilment of their wishes. Does Ellwood perceived the feminine as a power impossible to contain and to be dealt with caution? "According to Arabic folklore, human beings are allowed to marry genies," Ellwood told Sojournposse. So genies are not beyond companionship. They're just beyond men's comprehension. The Dijinnesque is not a dark comment on the female character. It is a celebration of its mercurial quality. It discusses the potential of the feminine energy that can change from bewildering to an assuring protective force. The story is also told with humour. Some of the demons are all too familiar to us. www.artshole.co.uk/tonyellwood
The Muse at 269 Gallery Tony Ellwood studied Editorial Photography at University of Brighton. He is a Silver Place Winner of London Photographic Awards. The Djinnesque by is showing from 4th February until Sunday 22nd February, 2009 at The Muse at 269, 269 Portobello Road, W11 1LR. Open 12.00pm – 6.00pm Wednesdays to Saturdays. Tube: Ladbroke Grove. Entry Free. |
