Kirsty Harris

Lives and works in London, UK

Artist statement

I explore nuclear explosions as cultural, historical and iconic symbols in my practice. Referencing the scale, beauty and abhorrent nature of the atom bomb I delve into the periphery of the subject, the myths, characters and surrounding evidence. I work across a wide range of media from vast oil paintings, tapestries & projections to delicate paintings on glass and ceramics you could hold in your hand. I’m fascinated by the beauty and awe of the landscape, the dust, the glow, the force of the explosion. In this master plan to kill ourselves off, we’ve shown ourselves THE END "Kirsty Harris depicts the most iconic man-made event that might take place in a landscape: the detonation of the atom bomb. Often working at scale, Harris confronts her audience with a vision of awe and beauty. Mushroom clouds hang over desolate expanses of the Nevada desert, provoking contemplation at the intersection of humanity, brutality, technology and nature. Harris's practice is steadfast; her paintings are informed by deep research, and this arduous process is echoed in depictions of a split-second event painted over a period of several months." Text by Zavier Ellis for Saatchi Gallery, Beyond the Gaze - Reclaiming the Landscape, 2023.

Artwork