Polly Nor (born 2 June 1989 in London, England)[citation needed] is a contemporary freelance surrealist artist who draws "women and their demons".[1] Her art mainly focuses on the themes of female identity, self esteem in the 21st century[2] and the portrayal of women in their bedrooms. Nor states that she is inspired by her own experiences as a woman,[3] her struggles with depression, technology, and the average, modern day woman. She works in a multitude of mediums, including print and sculpture, to create her unconventional style. She grew up drawing and received a degree in illustration from Loughborough University.[3]
Polly Nor | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 June 1989 London, England |
| Nationality | English |
| Alma mater | Loughborough University |
| Website | www |
Career
editAccording to Niloufar Haidari, Nor's satirical and humorous look into female sexuality and its demons led to her rise in popularity.[4] Her art has become famous on social media[5] and she has worked with Gucci,[6] Andy Baker and Chelou for the music video "Halfway to Nowhere",[7] Dazed, Dr Martens, and Complex magazine. She was also a guest speaker for The Apple Store hosted by Dazed in 2016.[8] In 2017, Nor was working on illustrating a book for Bloomsbury Publishing[4] and had an exhibition through Red Bull Studios London.[5][9]
Works
editNor initially became popular online and her work has been shown in multiple art galleries. As a part of the Association of Illustrators, she has produced various shows including "Sorry Grandma: An Exhibition of Obscene Illustrations"[10][11] at 71a Gallery in 2015 and "It's Called Art Mum, Look it Up"[5][9] and "Airing My Dirty Laundry In Public"[11][12][13] at Protein Studios in 2017 and 2018, respectively. While most of her shows take place in London, she has shown her work at the "NSFW: The Female Gaze"[14] exhibit in Museum of Sex in New York City. Her art work often references pop culture and per Haidari, is considered a modern day take of the Lowbrow art movement.[4]
Nor says her work, especially her common theme "women in devil suits", is "about growing up: feeling the pressure to look a certain way, or to put this face on for the rest of the world, but lots of people read into it in different ways".[15]
References
edit- ^ Usher, Tom (16 December 2016). "Polly Nor, the artist, on women and devils". BBC Three. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
- ^ Benson, Eben (October 2017). "Polly Nor: It's Art Mum, Look it Up". Juxtapoz. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
- ^ a b Gore, Sidney (13 June 2016). "Polly Nor's Illustrations Capture The Real Version Of 21st Century Women". Nylon. Archived from the original on 21 April 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
- ^ a b c Haidari, Niloufar (3 February 2017). "How artist polly nor uses frustration, anxiety, and sadness to fuel her creativity". i-D. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
- ^ a b c Williams, Phillip (9 August 2017). "Polly Nor new exhibition It's Called Art Mum Look It Up". Red Bull. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
- ^ Morgan, Hayley (1 May 2018). "Gucci Enlists 15 Female Artists To Tell Awkward, Funny And Cute Stories For Acqua di Fiori". Oyster. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
- ^ Rizzo, Cailey (15 January 2017). "Magical Drawings Put Women in Conversation With Their Demons". Vice Media. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
- ^ "Creativity in the Digital Age". Apple Podcasts. 21 March 2016. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ a b Pattison, Louis (1 August 2017). "Experience the dark but real art of Polly Nor". Red Bull. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ Villalonga, Carlos (6 April 2017). "Polly Nor | Abuela, aquí hay ilustraciones obscenas" [Polly Nor | Grandma, there are obscene illustrations here]. Infomag Magazine (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ a b Byers, Rosie (10 October 2018). "Polly Nor's 'Airing My Dirty Laundry In Public'". Wonderland. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ Dinsdale, Emily (September 2018). "Polly Nor draws the demons that live inside all of us". Dazed. Archived from the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ "Polly Nor 'Airing My Dirty Laundry In Public' Show + Artist Feature". Association of Illustrators. October 2018. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ "The Museum of Sex Presents: 'NSFW Female Gaze'". Juxtapoz. 23 June 2017. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
- ^ Hsieh, Vanessa (14 August 2017). "Polly Nor's art celebrates us women and our weirdness". Dazed. Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2019.