Bare Machine: Lawrence James Bailey

The figures in Lawrence’s works seem to exist between different realms: on the one hand, part of the wilderness, yet simultaneously detached from it. Characterised by blank facial expressions and vulnerable poses, the figures evoke a sense of uncertainty within the landscape. In his technique, Lawrence applies coloured fabrics for shading and uses threads to soften transitions, mix colours, or add details. In doing so, Lawrence is inspired by the 19th-century Arts & Crafts movement, Romanticism, 1980s post-apocalyptic films, and historical periods of turmoil.

Besides these complex themes, Lawrence’s work carries a sense of optimism and forward-thinking. With humorous elements such as dancing figures and camouflage patterns, he refers to the idyllic state in which people become one with their surroundings. It is an attempt to reconnect with our primitive origins and shed societal constructs.