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1-2-1 tutorial with Gavin Edmonds 

7/11/2024

 

Following the reading group, I received a journal article shared by Edmonds on the concept of transference. In the article, Joanne Morra describes transference as the unconscious projection of object relationships, shaped by rea-life experiences and fantasies from both past and present. This process reveals how past dynamics influence current interactions and perceptions. When we engage with an artwork, transference allows viewers to response emotionally to the feelings, expression, and attitudes that artists project from their pass into ones’ present (Moora, 2017, p.165) Allowing viewers to perceive artists’ sentiment.

 

In the tutorial, we expanded on this idea by discussing different forms of transference and how they manifest. For instance, there is direct transference, where emotions are conveyed openly and vividly, often inviting viewers to experience a raw and unfiltered connection with the work. Tracey Emin’s painting such as Like a cloud of blood (2022) (see figure 1.) is one of the examples we looked at in the tutorial sessions.

 

Another form is expressive transference, where the artist’s feelings are indirectly embedded in the work, allowing for a more nuanced exploration of the themes that might be too personal or controversial to express explicitly. This can be significant for marginalised groups, such as Chinese queer communities. They may face societal restrictions on openly expressing their identities publicly. 

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Reference:

 

Moora, J. (2017) Arts, Being in Analysis: On the Intimate Art of Transference. Available at: https://ualresearchonline.arts.ac.uk/id/eprint/11662/2/25%20morra%20final%20jvap.pdf (Accessed: 02 January 2025). 

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White Cube (2024) Tracey Emin, White Cube. Available at: https://www.whitecube.com/artists/tracey-emin (Accessed: 02 January 2025).