HATCHING
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Hatching oil on canvas 84 cm x 184 cm |
Laid perfect, smooth, fragile, mysterious, the immaculate egg is torn
apart in a second birth and a new being
emerges. This creature has some arrangement
of feathers, skin, carapace, scales, legs, wings, fins, beak, teeth,
mandibles, eyes, gills or pretty much
anything else you can imagine. And that's just an ordinary egg. Once
you get into its symbolic meaning you find everything from the
creation of the Cosmos to a losing score in tennis.
If you are looking for
symbolism there is plenty here – birds as messengers, embodied
souls of the dead, symbols of light, peace, freedom and joy. An owl
or two for darkness and wisdom. Ducks and chickens for domesticity
and happiness. And, of course, the two famous questions: Why did the
chicken cross the road? Why is a raven like a writing desk?
You may or may not find answers
in this exhibition, but you will find plenty of eggs and poultry. And
the odd – very odd – Raven.
Welcome
to the world of bewildered Robot and encouraging Raven, reconstituted
Thylacine, the terrifying Catcher, and a host of minor characters
absorbed in their own esoteric activities and rituals. Animals and birds as beloved pet, exploited automaton, learned guide, fantasy companion. Watching over
all is the enigmatic White Bird, which has appeared in several
paintings in the past and will turn up again because I like it.
Help me explore the
relationship between people and animals in a peculiar world that
almost looks familiar, where the boundaries between animal, mineral
and vegetable blur. A world of infinite potential where wonderful
things could happen and meaning is whatever you make it.
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On With The Show oil on canvas 50 cm x 60 cm
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Morning at the Dog Park oil on canvas 61 cm x 75 cm
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Off to the Races oil on canvas 61 cm x 92 cm |
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Landscape with Figures oil on canvas board 50 cm x 60 cm |
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Catching the Egg oil on canvas 102 cm x 66 cm |
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Gift oil on canvas 50 cm x 60 cm |
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Heggler oil on canvas 61 cm x 45 cm |
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Fledglings oil on canvas oil on canvas 50 cm x 60 cm |
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Ritual Birdbath oil on canvas 75 cm x 60 cm |
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Chickens in a Taxi oil on canvas 122 cm x 91 cm |
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Stone Chickens oil on canvas 60 cm x 50 cm |
Personally, the symbolism I'm going for here is creation, rebirth,
optimism and joy.