STUD IO
In 2023 I started a series of paintings on the theme of Reasons to be Cheerful, the title of an Ian Dury song. The connection I have to Ian Dury is tenuous to say the least in that we shared, albeit at a different time and place, a lecturer, the pop artist Sir Peter Blake who has been an enormous influence on my work. The theme was originally expressed in three large paintings, one of which was exhibited in last year’s Morningside Gallery exhibition. I extended the theme to two smaller paintings which are on show this year. Following a short visit to Tangier last year I took inspiration from the architecture, colours, fabrics, patterns, furniture and it’s history. Matisse spent time in Tangier where he painted some of his Odalisques but rather than reference any of his works as I had done in previous paintings, I have chosen to reference his inspiration for these, Ingres’ Grand Odalisque. Slightly more obscure is the reference to American pop artist Larry Rivers through the Camel motif, a subject he worked on from it’s popular image on cigarette cartons. So this is a painting that talks about joining dots, making connections and at the same time creating a pleasing whole, a still life but one of times, places, people and things.
Reasons to be Cheerful, Part VI, Tabletop Tangier Oil on Canvas | 139 x 139 cm | £18,500
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