Born out of a pragmatic yet playful approach, Natalie Bruvels’ Lovers' Imbroglio presents artwork existing in various states of duality. A continuation of her previous series Goodbye, Lover, Bruvels resurfaces old paintings made by her ex-partner with her own, at once causing the destruction of the past and creation of the present.
While the action behind her work can be initially seen as vengeful, the choice of depicting near-abstracted figures in erotic scenes was one made purposefully by Bruvels, effectively “remembering the best while doing the worst." The psychotropic effects of lust and love, however fleeting, are to be celebrated as proof of life.
Above all, Bruvels is having fun. Her titles, invented Kama Sutra positions, further the organic and animalistic elements of works featuring the frenzy of love and love-making, mirrored by the seductive movement of her brushstrokes - drawing in and pushing away. Bruvels’ layered and striking paintings undoubtedly originate from experiences of struggle and pain, and yet the bright palette suggests that past the messy imbroglios stemming from the betrayal of love there exists a way forward, one of her own making.
Curatorial text by Rose Ekins
