On display at the Walker Art Gallery – Liverpool, Jacqui Hallum’s King and Queen of Wands is a painting on three cotton sheets. Hallum draws inspiration from a deck of tarot cards: the king and queen can be seen at either end. She describes the space between them as “akin to a reading”. (Kennedy, 2018)

Albeit by her own admission, there is a real sense that the artist has incorporated elements of chance into her creation and presentation of this work. That said, her sketchbooks, which were also on display, map out the artists direction and thought process.

There is something very sensitive, light and personal in her approach to this painting which results in highly individual piece of artwork that is truly captivating. It needs to be seen up-close and from different angles to be fully appreciated.

References

Jacquihallum.com. (n.d.). Jacqui Hallum. [online] Available at: http://www.jacquihallum.com/ [Accessed 10 Feb. 2020].

Kennedy, M. (2018). Jacqui Hallum wins John Moores painting prize. [online] The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/jul/12/jacqui-hallum-wins-john-moores-painting-prize [Accessed 10 Feb. 2020].