Zoe Welton: Statement

The clean and polished paintings of Zoe Welton transmute a familiar cast of cartoon characters, including Mickey Mouse, Snoopy the Dog, Bugs Bunny and her all-time childhood favourite ‘Garfield’. Not only do her works “POP” but collide two disparate worlds: high art and popular culture. 

Working alongside Elizabeth Murray and Joyce Pensato, Welton adds to the western canon of abstraction through her use of colour, shape and tone. Despite the simplicity of her compositions her material practice is nothing less than complex. Performing the role of the alchemist she creates illusions of silver on canvas. In short, Welton’s work - paired back, minimal and reductive - is simultaneously clear and mysterious, accessible and familiar. 

Welton is interested in playing with the balance between recognizable form and complete obliteration – her paintings often having an associative quality.