Astral Gypsy

The Lock Gallery is proud to host a solo exhibition for The Astral Gypsy, AKA Al Davison.

Muscle Memory, a brand new collection of paintings was on display at The Lock Gallery

from 3rd February 2009 - 21st February 2009.

"Muscle memory in the context of this collection of work refers to not only the physical aspect, but to the whole idea of learned responses. We learn from the media what 'beauty' is supposed to be, how we are supposed to feel and think about our bodies. These works explore a different aesthetic through the supposedly 'disabled', & 'deformed' via the classic nude.

From a symbolic portrait of childhood friend Ghita, a triple amputee who went on to become a Burlesque performer, to the contrasting views of the artist's wife's 'able bodied' legs with his own partially paralysed lower limbs, and portraits of disabled artists: Kaisa Leka, Alison Lappa & Frida Kahlo. These works aim to challenge our learned responses, and maybe even re-train or own 'muscle memory' in relation to the human form in all its diversity."