Violet Mary, painting by Bailey Dolan

Artist: Bailey Dolan
Year: 2022
Materials: Acrylic, watercolour and charcoal on stretched canvas
Edition: Original from “The Ceremony Collection”
Dimensions: 60.5 x 51cm
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Other info: Inspired by the song “Dream Girl Evil” from The “Dance Fever” Album by Florence and the Machine.
Delivered in cardboard packaging.

Price: $780

Artist statement:

The Ceremony

Visit the land of my imagination and be witness to “The Ceremony”. A nested story depicting tales of love, sisterhood and the path to discovery.

Think ‘Little Women’ meets ‘Midsommar’- A body of work connected and animated to the mesmerising ‘Dance Fever’ album by Florence and the Machine. A deep and personal record inspired by Florence’s discovery of the medieval European ‘dancing plague’ wherein hordes of people dance until exhaustion, injury or death. Fascinated with this concept, the start of the pandemic and their continuing dedication to performance, Florence and the Machine’s grandiose creation has transformed my practice and heavily influenced the process. With support of the fourteen song masterpiece I have specifically curated each painting in this ‘Russian Doll’ chronicle to create a visual musical.

Through my interpretative process I have used a raw and natural tone throughout the collection yet, still referencing my origins by applying contrasted black or white outlining that emphasises my line art technique. Displays of distinct texture is also showcased within my work, using the built up crevasses of crowns or a weighted drop of a tear to accentuate these signs and symbols by detailing it’s importance. Also using a reference to fashion with Jean Paul Gautier’s 2007 Spring Couture Collection as inspiration- one of their most well known catwalk moments. Featuring baroque, cathedral inspired garments partnered with corsets and detailed tailoring. Employing these fashions within my work and using Gautier’s garments as inspiration for the styling within The Ceremony.

Through this collection i have brought a modern approach to ‘folk art’, associating within a ‘Hälsinge mural’- which were traditionally intended to pass on information or celebrate regeneration and fertility. Shown within the mythical horror, ‘Midsommar’ by the genius Ari Aster – a portrayal of the Swedish festival and its eerie influence of pagan mythology. Heavily influencing me spirituality and within my work, I have created a fourteen part virtual gallery to showcase my latest collection.

This body of work begun with a prayer I wrote depicting one of the characters attending the ceremony.

“I Wear White for purity
With my mothers pearls.
Linen and lace and broken shells.
I Walk through The Hills to find my sisters,
To realise love isn’t from the misters.

I Eat the peaches and drink the blood-
Begin the sacrifice that is sent above.
Once The Ceremony is over and there’s no heartbreak left,
I shed a tear and I dance myself to death”.

Almost a rite of passage or coming of age story shown to express the importance that the chronicles of The Ceremony have. Representing a place of ritual where lovers find their souls and broken hearts are reborn. Used to elaborate my thoughts and capture the essence of my most impactful work yet.

Introducing;
The Ceremony.