Cathy Lomax, STOP TRYING TO MAKE ME SOMETHING I’M NOT

Cathy Lomax reflects on the 1952 British film Stolen Face (directed by Terence Fisher, starring Lizabeth Scott and Paul Henreid) in her recent work. The film, with its foreshadowing of Vertigo and subtle nods to the Pygmalion myth, examines a man’s attempt to create the perfect woman—both in appearance and personality—through the skills of a plastic surgeon.

Lomax’s artwork Stolen Face (2020, oil on paper, 76 x 57 cm) explores these themes of identity, transformation, and societal ideals of perfection. In her words:

“I love the 1952 British film Stolen Face… with its foreshadowing of Vertigo and nods to Pygmalion. So I am beyond excited to have an essay and artworks in the booklet that accompanies the new Hammer Films Blu-ray release (and I’ve contributed a commentary track with Elsie Bolton).”

Through her work, Lomax interrogates enduring narratives around beauty, control, and selfhood, drawing connections between mid-20th century cinema, myth, and contemporary reflections on the pressures imposed on women.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathylomax/