Jenny Saville

In terms of subject matter, Saville focuses almost all of her attention upon the human form. Often, she'll supplant her own head upon a grossly obese and misshapen body, represented in great blocks and splashes of oil paint on a canvas that's much larger than life.

To her, it seemed natural that an oil painter would focus upon the human form. In an interview, she said. "I paint flesh because I'm human. If you work in oil, as I do, it comes naturally. Flesh is just the most beautiful thing to paint."

In terms of influences, Saville draws greatly upon the works of Lucian Freud and William de Koonin, borrowing the harsh and unforgiving way in which they portray the human form.

Each work is large, stretched canvas of various sizes that have had oil paint thrust upon them. The effect of each piece has is reminiscent of Rothko's work in the nature of it's oversized canvas, each painting towering over the life sized subject matter.

Source: 'Jenny Saville' 759.2/SAV