room and thinking clearly so that her face, as well as her anatomy, tell a story. In ‘ All Your Prayers ’ a tattooed angel with a detached, world-weary sense of beauty and grace is placed centre stage. Blakely wryly observes that “Celestial beings are supposed to be omnipresent hearing all heartfelt prayers” while this sultry angel looks as though her eternal patience has been well and truly tested! There is a nostalgic quality to this image that is reminiscent of some of the movie posters of the 1950s, bringing to mind pin-up icons such as Jane Russell and Rita Hayworth. The languid pose, the self-assurance and smoky sensuality of this rebellious angel make it a seriously commanding piece of art. The theme of the angel in conflict is interpreted differently in ‘ Leave of Abstinence ’ featuring a more rebellious creature “There is a saint-like trance that belies the actions of this fallen angel, “says Blakely whose defiant angel echoes the religious paintings of the Renaissance and Baroque eras. Blakely says there were challenges in creating this painting. “The distinction between the denim skirt and cotton top, the vodka bottle, wings, the shimmering locks of her hair and the jewelled crucifix – but these are all ingredients that make painting worth doing.” These two releases herald Hamish’s major one-man exhibition in Mayfair this spring. ‘Out of Work Angels’ will explore the engaging theme of Heaven's creatures in a state of flux. Attested by falling congregation numbers, the younger generation are turning away from the Church, making angels expendable. They are arriving on Earth having lost their jobs and a new journey awaits them. GALLERY The collection is available as signed limited canvas editions of 95. Viewonline at castlegalleries.com
“I don’t over analyse but keep the heart and mind open, rely on the inner voice and be willing to learn – everything is a work in progress.”
SPRING2015 FIN e ARTC o LL e CT o R 29
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