Freya Povlsen

Playful, provocative, funny and frank, Freya Povlsen's work is influenced by the rebellious spirit of contemporary female artists such as Lisa Brice and Jenna Gibbon, with a healthy dose of humour thrown in for good measure. Echoes of Paula Rego are palpable in the strong, defined figures of 'Let The Eat Cake' and 'Gluttonous Treat 1 & 2', as the sumptuous purple tones which permeate Freya's work are set off by deep blues and splashes of raspberry red and burgundy. Focusing on female figures arrayed in theatrical poses, Freya's interest in our animal instincts also leads to a consideration of the canine, as dogs are depicted in a range of mediums, full of character and life force. These interests merge in 'Wolfhead', which depicts a humanoid figure with a wolf's head, reminiscent of ancient Egyptian god Annubis, protector of graves and guide to the underworld, as well as a host of pagan gods including the Norse Fenrir and the Greek Artemis. Working across a range of mediums including clay, silicone, plaster, acrylic and pastels, throughout these diverse works Freya's focus on audacity and wry humour hold true. 

David Blyth, Contemporary Art Practice Course Leader and Academic Strategic Lead (Fine Art) at Gray's School of Art:

Freya’s practice is heavily underpinned through drawing, painting and objects, and she works with ideas of empowerment and attitude, utilising the picture plain as a theatrical construct and narrative to create her dynamic outcomes.