Description
Joan Somerville (Scottish, 1961 – )
Joan Somerville’s Defying Gravity is a bold, humorous take on the complexities of motion and the human body. With her signature wit, Somerville presents a scene that is both playful and thought-provoking—featuring a woman on a treadmill, her exaggerated curves almost defying the very concept of gravity. The image is as lighthearted as it is intriguing, using humor to explore our relationships with fitness, body image, and the everyday struggles we face.
In this painting, the woman’s large, exaggerated breasts are humorously out of proportion to her form, creating a sense of gravity-defying chaos. As she sprints on the treadmill, her body seems to be in constant motion, yet somehow perpetually in a state of suspension. It’s as if she’s fighting against the laws of physics while simultaneously accepting their playful challenge. The woman’s exaggerated features, paired with her determination, offer a whimsical commentary on the tension between body image and personal achievement.
The vibrant, bold colors and the fluidity of movement bring a sense of energy and lightness to the piece. Somerville uses this playful exaggeration to mirror the ridiculousness of the human experience. There’s an absurdity to the situation—our constant struggle to keep up with fitness trends, while dealing with the very real physical constraints of our bodies. Yet, the humor in Defying Gravity reminds us not to take these struggles too seriously.
Ultimately, Defying Gravity is a reminder that, much like life itself, fitness is a balancing act of humor, challenge, and the occasional absurdity. Somerville’s painting invites us to laugh at the contradictions of our daily lives while embracing the whimsical side of the human experience.
