Revenge

2017 — 2019

‘A tribute to 19th Century academic painting’.

Following Romanticism’s fall from favour in France in the 1840’s artists looked to everyday life for inspiration, rather than paint for the church or wealthy patrons (which was the norm until the post-revolutionary period). The result was an explosion in art, illustrating the everyday life of everyday people. From businessman to beggar, from castle to shack, stand-out works were the ones capturing the essence of the subject and making it beautiful, no matter how impoverished or unpleasant the subject in the painting. Artists elevated the subject into something beyond the purely visual.

William Bouguereau (1825-1905) was such a master, capturing beauty and grace and finding the zenith of classical realism. One characteristic feature is the harmonious atmosphere created in his paintings. He understood that in order to make realism ultimately successful, realism must include an intangible glow.

Post modernism, neo-expressionism and digital art demonstrate that what was captured in the realist movements absent from these contemporary forms. The rejection of technique and the advent of technology have rendered harmony and beauty in artwork irrelevant.

As an artist who has studied and undergone artistic training in the realist (naturism) movement of the 19th century, I find it unsettling that society is forgetting or ignoring the age that gave us an ideal ofcreation and lasting credibility.

The Revenge series of works are a direct tribute to these past times, where beauty and grace in the figure is married to the beauty and grace of its surroundings, At the same time it turns away from the contemporary movements which place an often commercial value on the work, or one dictated by postmodern philosophy.

Renown

2019 (Oil on Canvas 750mm x 900mm)

ARC (Art Renewal Centre) 15th International Salon Finalist

Royal Oak

2019 Oil on Canvas 400mm x 600mm

Revenge

2019 Oil on Canvas 750mm x 1000mm

Revenge is based on destruction and impulse. An evil deed has been done, the village behind destroyed and the figure with her hands out of view suggest something to hide, though the smoking torch is a clue to the perpetrator. The figure isn’t without reason however. The book contains a motive if you look closely, and the latin inscription reads “Intaminatis fulget honoribus”, meaning “Shines with untarnished honours”, which suggests the motives for destruction were just.

Repulse

2018 Oil on Canvas 500mm x 1000mm

ARC (Art Renewal Centre) 14th International Salon Finalist

Royal Sovereign

2018 Oil on Canvas 600mm x 750mm

Upon a pedestal, high above everything else, this painting explores nature at the height of perfection- above all else and superior. The man made is also up there too- as represented by the fabric, which is starting to slip off the figure, representing its precarious flaws.
Nature is the height of natural perfection, and try as we might, the man made cannot share the same space.

Resolute

2018 Oil on Canvas 400mm x 600mm

Ramillies

2017 Oil on Canvas 600mm x 900mm

Ramillies is a painting based on protection and strength. The figure is calm, mirroring the colour
of the blue cloth. His stance & sword are at ease, the pillar behind reinforcing strength &
solidity. However, storm clouds are on the horizon, and he is aware of impending storm.
“Fidelis per res adversas” is inscribed on the stone behind the figure. This Latin description
means “Faithful through adversity”

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Resolution

2017 Oil on Canvas 21" x 27" (550mm x 700mm)

1st Place Winner at the ARTserslie Exhibition 29th-31st May 2017