East – West was the second concept painting Christine did using her elder son Christopher’s girlfriend, Caroline Broadhurst, as the model. Christine loved her beauty and her long blond hair and noticed the similarity and contrast with the ladies in the Japanese scroll that was hanging in our living room. The scroll and the Japanese Geisha doll were acquired while Christine lived in Japan (see her biography ). Although Christopher had left to go to university in the US, my mother stayed in touch with Caroline and arranged for her to sit for this painting shortly after she had also sat for another, called 1870 – 1970.

In the diary entries you will notice that Christine includes the canvas size of 28″ x 36″ followed by two exclamation points: this would have been a large canvas for her at the time and expensive in terms of both time and materials, especially for a work that wasn’t a paid commission.

The painting depicts Caroline wearing the quintessential style of the time: long straight hair, colorful mini skirt and stylish full length boots – a striking contrast to the elaborate and flowing robes of the ladies in the scroll. However, notice the similarity of the drape of the hair with the upper figure in the scroll. I think the doll is there to provide something for the model’s hands to do and to act as a bridge between cultures. Often given as a gift to westerners, the Geisha doll’s costume and make-up allow us to look back in time at the artistry of the Geisha’s elaborate and stylized outfit in a more tangible way than any photograph could. As children we were strictly forbidden from playing with, or even touching this doll which sat in a display case and was carefully packed, moved and set up again as we travelled between continents.

Diary Entries