Limelight
Despy’s collage primarily depicts an alluring Marilyn Monroe, with her signature blonde curls, grasping a white sheet while covering her chest. Reminiscent of the famous Douglas Kirkland photoshoot in 1961, the image is both sensual and yet vulnerable. A decadent chandelier hangs in the background and a cut open lime is positioned just above her head. The gold and yellow tones throughout this piece create an atmosphere oozing opulence and riches, perhaps illustrating Marilyn’s lifestyle under the ‘Limelight’ and the glamour associated with it.
Yet, perhaps the most predominant addition to the artwork is that Despy has collaged directly over Marilyn’s eyes, covering them entirely to the onlooker. Possibly, covering the said windows to the soul in a way that leaves only the external, physical, public portrayal of Marilyn Monroe, the worldwide icon and film star.
As always, art requires and invites interpretation, I hope you have enjoyed reading mine and are looking forward to enjoying all of the art and photography contributors’ works in the upcoming summer edition of Spellbinder!
Kate Cooper, Art Editor
Photo by Ruslan Khmelevsky from Pexels