Legs Icon (Ce La)

19″ x 10″ x 4″
Pigment, oil, egg, and skin glue on curved panel
2008

Collection of William and Cynthia Duncan

1 of 5 of the first generation of small free-standing pieces.

The words “Legs Icon” – the title of this group of paintings, and of the exhibition - first appeared on this painting. The words “Ce La” are French for “this” or literally, “this here”, which is a riff on the presence of absence – or re-presenting something that is of another realm. Also, as the words are arranged on the painting, if read from bottom to top, like text on pavement (for example, “STOP AHEAD”)– a sign for travelers – it reads as LA CE. This can be understood as “Here This” or “Hear This,” or simply “Lace.” It is an exploration of the relationship between body and spirit, sexiness and sacredness. Other text in the painting: “The sex of the church;” “Et al” (suggesting authorship by many people rather than just Ian); “Long;” “Slow.”