The Artsy Vanguard 2019: Charlotte Prodger
Charlotte Prodger by Emile Holba. Courtesy of Hollybush Gardens, London.
Installation view of Charlotte Prodger, SaF05, at the Venice Biennale, 2019. Photo by Cristiano Corte. Courtesy of the artist; Koppe Astner, Glasgow; and Hollybush Gardens, London.
Winner of the 2018 Turner Prize, Charlotte Prodger debuted an intimate film at this year’s Venice Biennale representing Scotland at its satellite pavillion. In this newest work, the British artist juxtaposes breathtaking shots of nature with spoken anecdotes that sound like diary entries about queer relationships and sexual encounters. The viewer must work out the connections between the disembodied voice, personal stories, and the landscape on screen. Brief pauses in the dialogue offer time for additional contemplation and looking. Titled SaF05 (2019), the work completes a trilogy that began with Stoneymollan Trail (2015) and BRIDGIT (2016).
Linsey Young, curator of the Venice project, noted that Prodger’s work “focuses on the fluidity of identity and the creation of self. She mines a personal archive which touches upon remembered experiences, political events, ancient history, and queer theory.” Young also lauded the artist for her precise compositions and the “disquieting intimacy of her voice-overs.” In addition to her films’ content, critics have applauded Prodger for her use of iPhones, digital cameras, and drones to capture her footage in engaging, innovative ways. The artist shows with London gallery Hollybush Gardens.
