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Margaret Lock, Putting on the Whole Armour of God (A Protestant Upbringing series), 1997, Woodcut on Japanese handmade paper, Gift of Dr. F. P. Lock, 2012 (55-020.44)
EXHIBITIONS
Vanitas: Margaret Lock
2 May–9 August 2015
Frances K. Smith Gallery

Season Launch: Friday 8 May, 5:30–7:30 pm

Sunny Kerr

In this selection of monochrome prints by long-time Kingston artist Margaret Lock, figures portray roles in a range of expressive tableaux. Lock’s ungainly nudes capture fumbling vulnerability and vain striving. The woodcut entitled Vanitas refers, with characteristically wry insight, to the artistic tradition of allegorical still life that conveys moralizing and cautionary messages. Lock’s form of vanitas combines symbolism and literary allusion with a portraitist’s feeling for depicting heartache, innocence, sloth, or sanctimony; the emotional intensity lends sting to the artist’s commentary on gender roles and affected piety.

Margaret Lock, The Grief of Parting, 1991, Etching on mould-made paper, Gift of Dr. F. P. Lock, 2012 (55-020.09) Photo: Paul Litherland

Margaret Lock, The Grief of Parting, 1991, Etching on mould-made paper, Gift of Dr. F. P. Lock, 2012 (55-020.09) Photo: Paul Litherland

Margaret Lock, Vanitas, 1976, Japanese handmade paper. Gift of Dr F. P. Lock, 2012 (55-020.13)

Margaret Lock, Vanitas, 1976, woodcut on Japanese handmade paper. Gift of Dr F. P. Lock, 2012 (55-020.13)

Margaret Lock moved to Kingston in 1987, where she began to practise illustration through hand-printed books, pamphlets and broadsides featuring English Medieval and eighteenth-century texts for Locks’ Press, a private press she operated with her husband Fred Lock until they moved to London (UK) in 2013.

Carling Spinney provided research assistance in the development of this exhibition.

 

Hero image: Margaret Lock, Putting on the Whole Armour of God (A Protestant Upbringing series), 1997, woodcut on Japanese handmade paper, Gift of Dr. F. P. Lock, 2012 (55-020.44)
Footnotes
Image Credits

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