Emily Ponsonby
Sliver Of Thirty Five , 2025
Beeswax and oil on panel
24 x 18 x 5 cm
9 1/2 x 7 1/8 x 2 in
9 1/2 x 7 1/8 x 2 in
Copyright The Artist
'‘Sliver Of Thirty Five’ was painted on my birthday, in the same raw, unadorned state I entered the world all those years ago. But being naked now doesn’t feel like...
"‘Sliver Of Thirty Five’ was painted on my birthday, in the same raw, unadorned state I entered the world all those years ago.
But being naked now doesn’t feel like a vulnerable act. Living by the sea - where spontaneous swims raise the eyebrows of unsuspecting dog walkers - painting nude friends, and life modelling myself, has made nudity a natural, joyful part of daily life. It’s not dramatic or provocative, just peaceful, honest, and deeply familiar.
In this self-portrait, I’m reflected in a round, oval mirror in my studio. Tools and everyday clutter sit in the foreground, creating a quiet tension - an almost casual contrast to the intimacy of the image. The result is something gently surprising, a glimpse into both the body and the world that surrounds it.
"
But being naked now doesn’t feel like a vulnerable act. Living by the sea - where spontaneous swims raise the eyebrows of unsuspecting dog walkers - painting nude friends, and life modelling myself, has made nudity a natural, joyful part of daily life. It’s not dramatic or provocative, just peaceful, honest, and deeply familiar.
In this self-portrait, I’m reflected in a round, oval mirror in my studio. Tools and everyday clutter sit in the foreground, creating a quiet tension - an almost casual contrast to the intimacy of the image. The result is something gently surprising, a glimpse into both the body and the world that surrounds it.
"