0: England: London: Monkey Magic 01/ 08/ 2002

Chris Ofili 

At last I go to an exhibition by Chris Ofili, and this time the wait was well worth it. He is best known  for the use of elephant dung which is added in lumps onto the canvas or as supports for the canvas to lean on and for his pornographic images often used in controversial religious themes. His signature painting technique is a combination of layered pattern and fine dots that cover parts of the surface allowing multiple layers underneath to seep through. 

Afroninana: Chris Ofili 2002

I see the sign, Victoria Miro , and realise this must be it. Outside it looked little more than a warehouse, while inside the room has transformed itself into a large bright open space, a perfect setting for a series of art works called, 'Freedom for a day.' Each canvas is brightly illustrated in red and black, radiating the colours of an African flag, celebrating freedom. The paintings, 'Afronivana' and Triple Beam Dreamer,' celebrate the beauty of an exotic woman lying in a bed of luscious fruit, flowers and foliage, accentuating her sexual allure. 'Afromantics' and 'Afro Love and Unity', are similar in colour radiating red and green colour from a star with lush foliage surrounding a hip sexy Africancouple, which look asif they could be dancing seventies retro or funk. The paintings become part of a one off, spoken word event, 'Freedom', which tells stories, poems and pros, illustrating multiple realities exploring freedom. 

Chris Ofili's Upper Room

The Upper Room.

Upstairs the atmosphere couldn't be more different as you follow a darkened our corridor of walnut wood, where we are taken up stairs to, 'The Upper Room'. There are bleeps of beamed light that highlight your way across the blackened out corridor, directing you towards a dark wooden room that appears like a holy chapel. The sinister setting makes way for large paintings of the 'Rhesus Macaque' (Monkey) As thirteen paintings rest up against the wall, identified by name in Spanish on the elephant dung supports. Almost all the same size and shape and position and yet differ greatly in contrasting electric colours each creating their own individuality. Every painting is lined up the same distance apart, placed directly opposite another. As you enter the room it feels as if you have interrupted on the Last Supper with Jesus. 

Mono Amarillo : Chris Ofili 

92% of our DNA is shared with the Rhesus monkey and the similarities continue with many physical attributes. Psychologically their social behaviour are also like ourselves, yet it is to their sacrifice that the human race has survived as these monkeys were used for vaccine testing for many illnesses. In this instance then we can assume that this asks many ethical questions that can relate to how we have persecuted Jesus and once again we close our eyes on this monkey, of whom we have so much to learn. 

Mono Blanco :Chris Ofili 

Mono Gris : Chris Ofili

Mono Verde : Chris Ofili 

Photo credit: Victoria Miro Gallery  & David Zwirner

The Tate Modern 2000

Old Man at The Tate Modern

In May 2000, The Tate Modern, was first opened by Her Majesty The Queen. Housed in the old Bankside Power station that closed in 1981, it became one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the world. It’s situated directly opposite St Paul’s across the Thames, linked together by the Millennium bridge. The first exhibit in the Turbine Hall was Louise Bourgeois’ instillation of a giant spider. Although it had been open for a few months the crowds continued to flock, ( unlike the Millennium Dome, which has also opened becoming more of a white elephant than a tourist attraction.)

The Tate Modern's conversion of Bankside Power Station keeps many of the original features, mixing raw materials of glass, steel and wood. The giant entrance slopes into the womb of the building welcoming you to a vast cross section of global art. The art of the last hundred years are no longer placed chronologically, instead works are placed under the heading of four themes: 1, Landscape, Matter and Environment. 2, Still Life, Object and Real Life. 3, History, Memory and Society. 4, Nude, Action and Body. This allows the likes of Claude Monet's paintings of 'Water lilies', to be placed beside Richard Long's Stone Circle.

I liked this new way of ordering the art work, as it can show more within the influences within  history as similar issues remain an important focus in society today. I had seen a large proportion of this work previously as has been rotated within what today has become known Tate Britain.

The building of the Tate Modern is just as much of a work of art as the art inside it and the panoramic views of London that peak in between the works speak for itself. As for the millennium bridge that stretches across the Thames, linking the Tate Modern at Bankside with Central London across to St. Pauls - it looks very high tech, yet people are still unable to use it due to the extreme movement causing the whole structure to sway. 

Louise Bourgeois, Spider in the Turbine Hall

Photo credit: Tate Modern 

2000 + 20 Nostalgia, at the end of a Decade.

Evolve

Wow, I'm feeling nostalgic! 

Reaching the end of a decade is a perfect time to reflect and think of new beginnings. Above are my last two paintings that mark the end of this decade with a slight shift in my painting. The first is called 'Evolve', Initially I saw this as a tree of life, there are so many complex different mark makings, textures and details that somehow work in harmony. Now in the light,  I see a woman's figure, with her arms open wide which feels comforting and reassuring. 

Chaos

The second painting, 'Chaos' seems to echo the sentiment of uncertainty within our society at this moment in time. And yet within all the conflict of colour and texture all fighting to speak there is comfort and hope within a suggestion of an embryo form, bringing new life and wonder for all. 

The last year has been a huge high but also low in regards to my own painting. I had one of my paintings transformed into three different Liberty fabrics in both Tana Lawn cotton and satin silk, I was part of a TV documentary series for the BBC 'A Day that Changed My Life,'  except nothing did really. I had a time of serious doubt and seriously thought I'm never going to paint again. In asking myself what's the point of my painting I guess like most other artists, I simply need to, because if I don't, I get a big open void of emptiness inside.  Luckily I'm back on track, painting again, I've found my happy place simply by playing with paint.

So in relation to everyone else what is the point of my painting and what have I got to give or offer?

Not a lot,  except maybe I do.

On one day of asking myself why, I got a lovely comment on a painting I had posted which said how much they loved it, but more so how it made them feel, so happy and how it reminded them of a particular time. And then the light sparked! I paint for others because I hope I can give others hope, a feeling of happiness and well being, a painting to dream into. Yes, it's in my bio, but was wonderful to have it confirmed by someone else.

What's my story? 

I don't have one.

Wait, maybe I do

And this got me thinking. 

In the spaces of time that I haven't been creating, in the need of filling that void, I have found great comfort and goodness, reassurance, hope and happiness in other peoples art. This year I also got my books back after 8 years in storage, a collection of art, design, exhibitions, interiors, travel, philosophy, psychology, fiction, autobiographical, classics, psycho-thiller, and art magazines, 

collected worldwide.  (Although I threw all the diet books out!)

But also hidden away is my diary from 2000 - 2002, which I called 'Art Culture Vulture: Travels of an Art Seeker.' And a giant stack of random - mixed up stack of photos I took during that time. 

Art Culture Vulture 

In 2000, at the turn of the Century, I wasn't painting, but to fill the void I made it my mission to seek art and culture globally while I was cabin crew for British Airways. I somehow knew that by educating myself 'on the street' I would find my own way. Initially my writing was a way to document my travels and experiences and while doing so to give an impression of art globally held within a segment of time, from a different perspective, not from an art critic or within the Art establishment but from a 20 something year old who simply loves art.

Looking back at it now, I realise that my thoughts and belief's are very much the same today as they were back then. 

Which brings me back to : 

What's my story? 

It's the same as it has always been:  A collection of other peoples stories.

In my searching for art to find my own I wrote: 

20/03/03

There are no conclusions to any writing, instead it has become a continuous journey of searching. Globally relationships between societies with cultural differences have embraced each other Worldwide. Many countries became hosts to others, interested in promoting a country that is very different from their own, creating cultural awareness and understanding, connecting all walks of life. As I play catch up on my writing, the evidence of my experiences would indicate that the world has been brought closer together, becoming united. From the people that I met  and the increasing development of technology, connecting the remotest of people together would indicate this is becoming easier by the day, 

I now spend my time painting my own pictures drawing from inspiration that has come to me while travelling and seeking other people's art. 

(And in the un-edited version: : Today the World is in a state of uncertainty as we stand, 'Shoulder to Shoulder,' with America and go to War with Iraq, in an attempt to irradiate Sadam, a war to be fought in order to secure World Peace. Nobody could ever know what will become the consequence of such actions. The future will tell, we can only hope and believe. )

30/12/2019

The above was written in a time when there wasn't any social media or smart phones. My internet connection at home was hopeless, it would take about 15 mins to dial up, so I didn't bother using it. Google and Facebook weren't available until 2004. Back then I traveled, explored and connected with people real time and it was an amazing adventure. As an artist today I feel that maybe that is part of what I am meant to be doing: Interacting, connecting and sharing stories, my own but in doing so, connecting others and sharing their stories. 

This blog will take you through my artist journey while sharing art I love. At the core i'll be working through my journal of 20 years ago and then introduce my own art , but also other people's art that has made a great impact on me today.  

I'm excited to what 2020 will bring,

In this I hope to share with you a love of art and in doing so share hope and happiness. 

My 24 year old self receiving my wings for British Airways who I'm eternally grateful for 

My 24 year old self receiving my wings for British Airways who I'm eternally grateful for, my 'Art' education. 

Lucid Moonlight, Liquid Sun

These are my first two paintings I made after writing my journal,

  represented by New British Artists. 

Pink Sock, Soda Pop