MAGIC VULVAS
Imagine a world where God is considered female. These paintings explore the power in female sexuality, divinity, creation and magic. Influenced by votives and talismans (taliswomans?) as well as religious iconography, they are richly painted and collaged, each with its own strengths and beauty.
Like all Jo Heckett’s painting they are meant to be experienced by the physical eye and body. They are layered with materials that play with the light such as iridescent and metallic paint, glitter, tissue paper, glaze, precious metals and stone. This means the art works change from moment to moment, imbued with aliveness and presence.
Click on the individual painting to see size, materials and detailed close-ups.
One of the larger magic vulva paintings, The Glitoris references the Female Cosmology series.
The whole painting is a deep layered blue. The central area has been glazed with a glossy finish that makes the richness of the paint stand out, but it is in fact the same blue as the background, which has instead been finished with a matte glaze.
Jo’s background in ceramics has left her with an interest in using glaze as a material in itself.
The circles and ovals are cut from paint tissue paper and all are iridescent, surrounded by multiple spirals in light reactive multihued paint. A line of metallic gold double spirals runs down the centre. The clitoris has a central golden spiral and is surrounded by a ring of glitter, giving the painting its title.
At the top there are a pair of ‘horns with multiple meanings.
Devil and christianity / paganism
Divine masculine
fireworks orgasmic energy
Acrylic paint, tissue paper, glitter, glaze on canvas
(H) 101cm x (W) 76cm x (D) 3cm
2021