Georgie Hall
Painting
I enter the room to the sound of ticking, with the audience (and my assistant, who stood still and despondent) in front of me. I take my seat, dressed in the same way, at the same table and in the same chair as depicted in the painting behind me. I begin to break apart the tangerine on the table, eating it segment by segment. Just before I have finished the fruit, the ringing of a phone interrupts me and I leave the room to answer it, shortly followed by my planted onlooker, who has watched me eat, along with the audience.
The work is about watching, introspection, being looked at and acting as such; always, even while alone. This idea of watching oneself in place of an audience, monitoring and ‘catching’ ourselves was very interesting to me, and is encapsulated in the performance here. The office imagery that connotes power dynamics, professionalism, in the office blocks we have to be careful, don't want an email from HR. But there's a contrast of sexiness, of pleasure, here I know I am being watched, and it is both within and outside of my power that this image is compelling (if only to me), breaking apart the sweet fruit and bringing it to my lips, eating, consuming, my heels and skirt accentuate, but do not show, makeup is done but not extreme, and my hair is up, but ‘slut strands’ hang down, framing my face. When I leave, my suited friend follows me, I cannot escape one watchful eye, even if the audience is no longer privy to my actions, they could be, and this is enough.
Stills from the performance (swipe to see) -