Gemma Compton is a contemporary artist living and working from Bristol in the UK. She has a First-Class (Hons) degree in fashion design achieved at U.W.E in 2008. She has exhibited her modern memento mori works internationally, from the gallery wall to fashion apparel and large scale murals.

Memento Mori

Faced with a void, an untouched surface. I swiftly blemish with pigment. The mark is made. No longer pristine. Who wants to be perfect anyway?

Finding flow, colours merge, I am adrift. Memories bleed out, broken bones, the formless takes its shape. Small wings preach gospel, the end is nigh. “Everything changes, everything moves, everything revolves, everything flies and goes away.” My kinship with Kahlo.

Levels of pain, covered by layers of paint, a contemporary vanitas.  Mother Nature calls us all back to the dirt, finite. Unearthing presence within the chaos, the brush exposes my scars.

A sadness in this creative endeavour,

That life is too short,

And will not last forever.

My work always seems to fluctuate between subjects of life and death. I was a passenger in a serious RTA when I was 18. I sustained multiple injuries including breaking my spine and life went on hold for almost a year while I was in recovery. Art and creating became a huge focus for me to deal with what had happened and move forward. Now, over 20 years on I am left with scars and chronic pain but art has become the cornerstone of my life. My paintings explore the juxtaposition of the strength and fragility of life. I use motifs such as flowers and insects with short life cycles, and I paint a lot of birds, especially small song birds. Such tenacity in a small creature, it’s desire to survive, the fight or flight is fascinating. I call my works 'Memento Mori' even though I know they are not the still lifes of that traditional genre. But every time I paint and leave my mark, I feel grateful. Every painting I make is my second chance.

For all exhibition details please see artist CV.

Mini documentary 'Inspirit' created by Friction Collective about me and my work in 2016.