Looking Here

Sophie Quick

Windows. There are a lot of windows here. And as a person who lives in the inner north, has disgusting habits, and often forgets to close the blinds, this collection has put me on notice. Edie Atkins is roaming the streets, and she's pretty interested in windows. But maybe there's no need to worry. Edie's not peering inside, she seems to be drawn to the windows in and of themselves, as interesting shapes, as sources of light, as frames for other images, as a contrast to other textures. I love these paintings because I can see streets that I walk in every day; familiar architectural styles and materials, familiar trees. These are busy inner-city suburbs, but Edie has eked out the quiet moments. She shows us sleepy afternoons and moody scenes of dusk. There's mystery, too, I think. What's going on with that complex arrangement of curtains and blinds in the Preston house? The high moon and giant tree bring drama to the large Brunswick family home at night. You can see the influence of one of Edie's heroes, Lois Dodd – famous painter of windows – in these pictures. A child Edie knows told her that these paintings remind her of Studio Ghibli scenes – maybe it's the lush, dreamy blue-greens of the foliage. Window + Me is one of my favourites, because it depicts the artist and she's very recognisable, even as a shadow. There she is: strong shoulders and steady gaze, paying attention.