Kate Lyddon at the Zabludowicz Collection

Everyone who has grown up on a steady diet of fairytales with friendly woodland creatures feels an immediate connection with them. Over time, as we grow up, the fairytales grow up with us, absorbing everything we know about the world and possibly morphing into the original pieces of gothic work the Grimm brothers intended. While the innocence may be lost, the essence always remains.

Young UK artist Kate Lyddon shows us what grown up fairytales on paper might look like. With two degrees in fine art and exhibitions in  Paris, Sweden, Brussels and London, she has experienced working across a variety of mediums.

Every piece is carefully arranged to convey a narrative that appears playful but is, upon closer inspection, slightly grotesque, recalling the development of childhood motifs as we grow up. The pieces are also carefully researched. They are subtle nods to the inevitable connection between trees and humans as trees metamorphose into humanoid forms, the limbs connecting into complex poses. There is an undercurrent of the process of change in each of her works, which is hard to render but Lyddon exhibits with confidence. The pieces are evocative and strong but painted in soft colors, an pleasing irony that is not lost.

The exhibition is small but ultimately satisfies the urge to watch the fairytales coming alive on paper. Part of the reason is Lyddon’s obvious choice of mediums.  She uses a variety of them across her works, unafraid. This is apparent as it stretches to three-dimensional work, which rounds off the collection nicely. The exhibit is accompanied by a freshly commissioned essay booklet by Alice Butler, prizewinner of the Frieze Writer’s Prize, 2012 which provides lyrical company. 

Roshni Vatnani

Kate Lyddon is at Zabludowicz Collection from 12^th November until 20^th December 2015, for further information visit here.