Fairy Tales (2002-2004)

Valadon’s interest in fairy tales – the ‘innocent’ narratives of childhood - became a rich area for exploration in the early 2000’s. In works that offer something of a cabaret of characters that are looosly based on the symbolism of’ fairytale figures , she explores the intimacy of women’s relationships. In paintings such as You’d look pretty in Pink, a young Cinderella sits in defiance to the encouragement of her fairy godmother. In After the ball, women lounge comfortably in each others' presence, undeterred by the interest of the viewer. Fairy Godmother Comes to Visit, 2003 provides us with a confronting scenario dominated by two women in a chair sharing a cigarette and perhaps a joke, most likely at the expense of the onlooker. The theme of Girl and Wolf (ref Red Riding Hood), deals with sexual power and violence as the girl playfully (we assume) de-mystifies the symbolic power of the wolf as a source of male domination by literally playing with his floppy form. The characters in these works are ‘playful and sly, involved in a game of mystery that represents the duality and complexity of life. - R Pattenden These works were shown in 2004 in the exhibition Shadow Play at Eva Breuer Art Dealer, opened by Prof. Di Yerbury AO, Vice Chancellor, Macquarie University ‘The Divine Burlesque’ by Lizzy Marshall, CAUMAC Newsletter, December 2006 In 2010 Rosemary’s work on fairy tales was included in the ABC interactive website “Re-enchantment”, along with artists Cindy Sherman, Corinna Sargood, Paula Rego. There are two chapters on her work – go to the website  Go to Menu - Cinderella-Fairy Godmother / Menu - Red Riding Hood-Hand:sexuality