Polly Nor - ‘It’s Called Art Mum, Look It Up’ (2017)

Polly Nor is a London-based artist best known for her dark illustrations exploring the topic of womxn and their inner demons. ‘It’s Called Art Mum, Look It Up’ was the title of her 2017 exhibition, held at Protein Studios, which presented digital illustrations, original ink drawings, previously unseen sculpture work as well as an immersive installation room.

Often featuring devils, demons and naked womxn, Nor forces us to acknowledge the internalised toxic thoughts and behaviours which have been instilled in us as a result of the society we live in. Her work recognises the pressures womxn grapple with, in the form of beauty standards, shamed female sexuality and the struggle to achieve self-love.

‘Be You But Better’ depicts the inner demon sitting amongst its many skins - calling attention to the demands of conforming to the ever-changing trends and the anxiety that comes with this. ‘Shedding Skins’ is the life-size embodiment of this concept, latex skins made by the artist hang ominously from a rail and sway gently in the wind, ready to be selected in an attempt to fit in…

A tangled tendril of red papier-mâché hands, appropriately coined ‘Tempted To Touch’, lies on a podium, epitomising the way in which the inner demon is entwined in one's life. Nor has previously expressed how the image of the devil in her work is not only a depiction of a womxn’s fear but of her frustration and desire. In much of her work we see womxn embracing or being cared for by their demons, as in ‘Babe You’re Going To Be Fine’ and the last image in ‘A Series Of Nine’, leading us to question whether we really want liberation from our devils or whether it is a process of finding peace with that part of ourselves.