Frances Goodman

SMAC Gallery, Cape Town

Acquired from the above in 2020 by the present owner

The Red Room (2020) is a dazzling exploration of materiality, seduction, and the dynamics of feminine identity. It is meticulously crafted from hand-stitched sequins on canvas, a signature medium for Goodman, who is celebrated for her innovative use of cosmetic and craft materials in large-scale, tactile compositions.

The shimmering surface of The Red Room immerses the viewer in an atmosphere at once intimate and theatrical. Sequins, a material often associated with glamour and fashion, become a subversive tool in Goodman’s hands—both alluring and disruptive. By painstakingly hand-stitching each element, the artist imbues the work with a sense of labor and care, calling attention to traditionally feminine forms of making that are frequently overlooked in the context of contemporary art.

Goodman consistently investigates issues of identity, intimacy, and power, often using materials linked to beauty rituals to question wider societal standards. The Red Room stands as an exemplar of Goodman’s aesthetic: opulent yet conceptually rich, bridging personal and collective narratives through its dazzling surface and underlying critique. This painting offers collectors a chance to engage with one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary art, whose practice deftly balances seductive appeal with incisive commentary.