By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:48:35 +0000

I like the construction of the ‘crucifixion’ study (for want of a better title) very much. I don’t think you should be bogged down by fears over cliched quotations in poses or forms. It is as bad as being bogged down in conscious art historical referencing, as I was. IUt goes back to following your instinct. If you have arrived at the use of a particular form without conscious pretence, but as a mode to fill some, perhaps unarticulated, end game; then it is worth using it.
Idon’t think you should look to deny or rid such references.
I think my recent ‘floater’ swimmer has this problem.I was very wary how christ like it seemed; and almost annoyed as I had not really want this christian undertone; or perhaps overtone. Yet I still knew the figure seemed to hold the potential pathos that I wnated. The very reference to Christ might, of course, have played as part in this.
I think you should go for it. I don’t see the painting as crucifixion seen in any sense. It is clearly set in a contemporary(ish) urban space and also clealry has some sense of heroic tragedy int he figure. Due to the angle, the sense of a fall or elevation and the grand Chirst like arm gesture of course. But it is not like your trying to paint Christ. I see no problem and think the picutre has a Doig like quality and a general dynamism which is a definate shift from some of your other works.
The beach scene. For some reason it is not doing a great deal for me with or without the goliath, particuarly in comparions to previously discussed image. If anything the reference to Goya’s imagery here, is more supressing than the Christ reference you are worrying more about.
The sheep shagging work looks like it is coming along well.
About to work on some scrambling figure drawings.

Comments on: some help please

By: Tom