I asked a friend to critique this (before I had added the background to the right) and she felt the upper part was dead space (anathema to an artist right lol! ). Funny enough it struck a chord and rather that see it as a negative I saw it as a positive. One of the reasons I value negative comments in a critique. You have this mayhem going on at the bottom half of the panel and this somewhat uncomfortable dead space at the top. By some accident of design it fits with the theme of the piece perfectly.The background is loosely based on some graffiti on the yellow springs bike trail (which I noticed this morning has been covered over since I saw it last).
It is not quite finished yet. I am going to cover it with a coat of resin ,which is going to be quite a pain in the glutues maximus. I thought of my gran spinning in her grave if I said BUM or ARSE (oops there is she spinning away in her pearls and tweed skirt).
The title: What do you think of "ode to basquiat" (I have two fragments of a painting of his collaged
into it), "dead space" or even "pelvic angel"?What I did was after I had painted it, I found a basquiat painting in one of my art mags and cut out bits of it, glued onto the panel and then used some of the colours around the edges to blend them in. I also added several eyes around the painting (sort of a hint to the eyes of the world is watching)
Thanks to artsWOM for highlighting me on their blog. Thanks, it really made my day :)
For more information about Cluster Bombs and efforts to ban their use HANIDCAP International is the site to visit.
15 comments:
Clusters' Last Stand would be good, but we still have a long way to go!
and now it looks like a skull with all kinds of things going on behind the eyes!
Betty
How did cluster bombs end up with this painting?
Ode to Basquiat's Dead Space.
Hi Dr.John, I was horrified by the loss of so many little angels, casualties of war, and how many of them died as a result of the thousands of unexploded cluster bombs in civilian areas. I did a sketch several years ago of a child with bone wings, of what I imagined would represent the horror of a brutal and early death. I have painted her several times in different ways in the past, and felt I wanted to paint her again. Since I like graffiti that makes a social statement I felt I could add my voice only on a wood panel rather than on a public wall (I am getting too old to be sneaking around with a hoody and spray can of paint lol!)
will take suggestions under consideration, thanks for commenting.
I have been playing catch up and have spent almost an hour with your thought provoking pieces and am, as always, in awe.
I like it...I like the dead space. I think it says something...I know I am not a trained eye necessarily but hey...
And I love the Glen Helen photos...and the bike trail...just 2 of the reasons I love it around here.
Your work is so powerful.
Hugs,
Sue
Yes, a very powerful work.
Well, it's not an ode, is it? And Basquiat is not the subject of it, the angel is. I'd go with Pelvic Angel, or Dead Space.
thanks susie, philip.
Mr. zip you are right, I was thinking of basqiat/graffiti/collaged elements, but it's true it is NOT about him and it was not intended to be an ode to him.
Don't like Ode to Basquiat. While I like Basquiat, this isn't really about him is it?
Something about angels and cluster bombs if that's your original thoughts behind the work. It is haunting and I too am waiting for the top space to have a little more activity.
I think, considering the subject matter, and the cluster bombs and poor baby victims, that the idea of 'dead space' really works.
I love it, as I love all of your amazing, provocative work.
I do think the title should reflect the essence of the angel and what she and the bombs represent.
You're amazing.
I like it. The background looks like she's in front of a wall. A wall covered in Graffiti! Which I personally think is way kewl! Wonderful job!
*HUGS*
cynthia, I have decided the top space of the panel will remain dead space. It is the element of discomfort about the top space that appeals to me.
Thanks minx, think I am heading towards calling it "dead space" which for some might be a contradiction considering all the stuff that is going on behind the angel :)
thanks angela :)
Oh "Dead Space" is simply perfect!!
Trading Dead Spaces (I know BAD!)
It Came From Deader Space
MyDeadSpace.com
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