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Cordelia Underhill: Bridging History and Emotion Through Performance Drawing
Cordelia Underhill’s artistic journey began in Orkney, Scotland, where she absorbed the rugged beauty of the Northern Isles—a landscape that would profoundly shape her visual sensibility. Influenced by Surrealist painters like René Magritte and Giorgio Morandi, she championed a method of distilling visual language to its essence, prioritizing subconscious exploration alongside meticulous observation. This foundational approach continues to permeate her artistic practice today.
Early Influences: Magritte’s unsettling juxtapositions challenged conventional perceptions of reality, while Morandi's muted palettes conveyed quiet contemplation—artists who instilled in Underhill a deep appreciation for subtlety and understated expression.
Formal Training: Her undergraduate studies at Edinburgh College of Art honed her technical skills in printmaking, equipping her with the tools necessary to translate complex ideas into compelling visual forms.
The Orkney Residency Experience proved transformative, fostering collaboration between Underhill and fellow artists on a project centered around drawing and performance—a pivotal moment that solidified her conviction that art could transcend mere representation, engaging actively with its surroundings. This immersive encounter underscored her commitment to blending artistic experimentation with social engagement. During the DRAWING WITH PLACE Group Residency in Orkney we spent time with artist and academic Dr Cordelia Underhill, working collaboratively on Birsay beach. Bringing all her creativity, expanded approaches to drawing, humour and generosity, the Performative Drawing session involved buoys, ropes, waterproof clothing, windsocks and weather.
Cordelia (Cords) started the day for us with a fantastic presentation about drawing and performance, and the activation of the two together in her practice. Bringing books, articles and references to other artist’s work, she talked us through history, challenges and provocations. The time we spent moving across the beach and in and out of the sea, improvising with material props and each other’s bodies was joyous, celebratory, anarchic and enriching. Images Cordelia Underhill and Drawing with Place Group Residency residents working together, Orkney 2024
Exploring Themes of Absence and Presence
Underhill's oeuvre consistently investigates themes of loss, memory, and vulnerability—expressed through recurring motifs like obscured faces and solitary figures. Her canvases often employ a muted palette dominated by earthy tones—ochre, umber, sienna—creating an atmosphere conducive to introspection. Texture plays a crucial role in her work, achieved through layering techniques that imbue surfaces with palpable depth and materiality—a deliberate strategy reflecting her belief that drawing possesses the capacity to convey emotional nuance beyond visual depiction alone.
Recurring Imagery: The depiction of obscured faces—a hallmark of Underhill’s style—represents a conscious rejection of idealized portraiture, prompting viewers to consider questions of identity and perception.
Color Palette: Her preference for earthy hues—such as ochre, umber, sienna—echoes her fascination with geological formations and organic textures, mirroring the materiality of pigment itself.
Notable Works and Artistic Legacy
“Missing Person (I),” completed in 1994, exemplifies Underhill’s stylistic signature—characterized by bold color choices and textural layering—demonstrating her mastery of expressive visual language. Similarly, “Thomas Edison at His Ore-Concentrating Works, Ogdensburg, New Jersey, 1897” showcases Underhill's ability to capture historical scenes with remarkable detail and emotional sensitivity—a testament to her dedication to accuracy while simultaneously conveying a palpable sense of atmosphere. Her work has garnered recognition from curators and critics alike, cementing her position as a distinctive voice within contemporary art.
“Missing Person (I)”: This piece embodies Underhill’s stylistic hallmark—characterized by vibrant yellow hues and textured layering—demonstrating her command of expressive visual language.
“Thomas Edison at His Ore-Concentrating Works, Ogdensburg, New Jersey, 1897”: Underhill's meticulous rendering of this iconic image underscores her commitment to historical accuracy while simultaneously conveying a palpable sense of atmosphere and emotion.
Underhill’s artistic vision remains rooted in a belief that drawing transcends mere representation—serving as an active process of engagement with place and experience—a conviction that continues to inspire artists striving for originality and emotional resonance. Her legacy resides not merely in her individual artworks but also in her contribution to fostering dialogue about the transformative potential of art as a medium for conveying profound truths.
