Scotland-born, London-based artist Caroline Walker creates enigmatic images of domestic interiors that delve into an anonymous, collective female psyche. They offer a glimpse into women-dominated environments – from nail bars to suburban homes – typified by either their sense of community, or their distinct solitude. Her playful use of colour evokes the richness of celluloid film, while her distinct framing techniques carve connections to cinematic principles. To coincide with her new exhibition at Anat Ebgi in Los Angeles, she talks to AnOther about the alluring, alien aesthetics of California architecture.
“In the case of Sunset, I already had the model in mind, as I’d worked with her before as part of a group for a previous project based in California. I really liked her look, she is a former Miss America pageant contestant (Miss Colorado 1977). I found this interesting in the context of my wider interests, so when I was offered the show at Anat Ebgi I was keen to work with her again, but this time to create a more narratively driven series developing a particular character.
“I had an idea for an ageing beauty and tried to imagine where she might live in LA. When I was looking for the house, I wanted somewhere in the hills with a pool, views of the city, and preferably modernist architecture. Once I’d found the house I started developing the character with the help of a friend that lives in LA and worked in the world that I imagined this woman would occupy.
“She helped me storyboard some scenes that might appear like a day in her life – what she’d be wearing; what she’d be doing; where she’d go if she were going out; and who else might feature as part of her lifestyle, which ended up including a pool boy and a couple of Yorkshire terriers (who I borrowed for an afternoon from a friend).
Caroline Walker: Sunset is at Anat Ebgi, Los Angeles until March 3, 2018.