Cold Comfort // Bruton: Bobbie Russon

In this new body of work, for her first solo show at Arusha Bruton, Russon looks
beyond the dark interiors of her childhood, casting around for alternative objects
or belief systems – the stories we tell ourselves which define our personal sense
of reality and provide us with hope in our increasingly secular, multicultural and
fragmented society. They can take many and various forms: amulets and
talisman (pieces of jewellery, a lucky charm, a favourite teddy, a faded, sepia
photograph in a wallet – in fact any object imbued with the imaginary power to
encourage, protect, reassure or inspire the wearer or carrier) as well as
superstitions, ancient rites and shared community-based folk traditions which
have persisted for centuries...

‘What do we call ‘a thing’ into which we place our doubts, worries or prayers?’
Russon asked me as we were discussing her work. ‘Are we missing a word for it
in the English language?’ I wonder if, through this new body of work, she has
answered her own question. It is quite simply called ‘Art’. Through creativity, be
it painting, writing, drama or music, we give vent to the most personal yet
omnipresent feelings. ‘If I can evoke a memory or emotion in a stranger by my
own personal interpretation of a shared but private experience without having to
use words then I feel I am succeeding’ states the artist.

In finding a receptive, appreciative and understanding audience, we, as artists,
also find kindred spirits, those who empathize and sympathise with our plight
and who recognize, appreciate and decode the coded messages we send. And it
is through this shared knowledge that we come to terms with our own anxieties
and fears and realise that we are not actually as alone as we often believe
ourselves to be. That there are in fact, other rags tied to branches fluttering in
the wind, other portraits on walls or mantelpieces that act as confidants and
countless worn and battered teddies that we still keep close long after we have
left our childhood behind. These ancient rituals, painted icons and comforters
unite us, regardless of how or where we live. They may offer ‘Cold Comfort’ but
they also offer ‘hope’.