This is a quick study for a new piece called ‘Souvenir’. Like most of you I watched the video chronicling the end of this man’s life and let me begin by saying I hope that a new chapter will be written for Libya with a fairer touch. The footage was visually shocking and primal, the cacophony of sound and confusion coupled with the distorted videophone footage. Over the coming days the bombardment was rampant. Sometimes the medias’ thirst concerns me and there are certain news channels that in my opinion are on the verge of being perceived as nothing more than glorified ambulance chasers. This image sat in my subconscious for a while and then forced its way out. This is only a fast sketch I am going to refine the image and make an edition of screen prints incorporating some text. I am also considering creating a larger version on canvas to explore more texture, detail and colour.
This piece is called ‘The Pissing Contest’ put simply it’s about the games people play, it’s about prodigal children, the hopes parents have and how frustrating it is to see people live vicariously through their spawn. I am also drawn to the simplicity of the image and its clinical, cold and detached feel.
I have always enjoyed writing and text seems to have started to creep into my work. It’s really freeing to have an anchor to a piece if it feels right for the work. At the moment some of the ideas I have, really lend themselves to introducing text. Still tweaking this piece but I’ll decide pretty soon whether it’s going to be a screen print or Giclée.