Artist Statement
Over the years I have honed my skills to become a prolific and sought-after multi-disciplinarian, working as an illustrator, creative digital strategist and art director. Earlier this year I abandoned all commercial work in favor of creating fine art and moved to London. Now concentrating on multimedia projects inspired by the extreme reactions of British society to current political and social change.
Influences
The following two pieces recently challenged everything I thought I wanted from my work. This is because they embody compassion and compel viewers to take action.
l\'agneau du sacrifice: Francisco de ZURBARAN
I found this painting genuinely moving, I want to untie the legs, and I feel the pain. If this is Jesus Christ suffering for our sins then I have an understanding in a way I can relate to. For me this is believable despite the fact that my curiosity for religion is only that. I am not a practicing Christian and yet I care about Christ when I look at this painting.
Am I Not A Man And A Brother?: Josiah Wedgwood
This small piece changed many lives. People saw slaves as men, some for the first time. At its best, art can do this. It can make a difference. I want to make a difference. This is my driving force behind my desire to develop as an artist.
Achievements
Since 2008 I have had opportunities to participate in international group shows. Most notably �Edge of love� Strychnin gallery: Berlin and �Art of War� Jonathan Levine gallery: NYC.
Current work:
�Mind the Gap� depicts the recent 2011 London riots. It means to highlight societies ever widening gap between those �who have� and those �who have not�. Aiming to evoke compassion for the misguided fortune of those that sit over the undesirable side of this line.
I wanted to challenge my own perspective about what happened and feel compassion for the rioters. At the time I had none. My purpose for developing this piece was to change hostility to understanding. Ultimately to make me take action to help people who are still dis-empowered by low income and low expectations in society. I do not condone what they did but nor do I exclude the external factors which lie at the cause. 13.5 million people in the UK (22%) are income poor, mostly caused by rising unemployment. 16-24 year olds bearing the brunt of this. The majority of the rioters unsurprisingly fell into this demographic.
The work is 144 cm x 400 cm. All the subject matter exists in isolation against the white of paper, in layers of charcoal, graphite and ash from the burnt out shop front in Tottenham. It is further defined with black ink.
Overall direction
I challenge myself to explore actions in society that I don�t necessarily believe in, as though they were already a part of me. In my work I aspire to create powerful statements that will still enable me to relate to the subject matter on a very personal level.
Exhibitions
Group Shows:
DeerBLN, Keep a Breat Gallery. Bordeux France
Edge of Love, Strychnin Gallery. Berlin
Oversized Sticker Show, Hatch Museum. Cologne
Art of War, Jonathan Levine gallery | Gallery nine 5 | Denise Bibro Gallery | Joshua Liner Gallery. NYC
One Night Stand, Proud. Berlin
Oversized Sticker Show, Hatch Museum. Berlin
DeerBLN, Strychnin Gallery. Berlin
Education
BA Fine Arts � Jacob Kramer, Leeds
HND Digital Multimedia � Jacob Kramer, Leeds
Commissions
Carpisa: Milan, Italy
Artwork and art direction for internation Fashion Advertising Campaign.
Bibliography
Published
Juxtopoz magazine
PaperMag
Aesthetics Magazine
Qlix Magazine
Creative Boom
The Guardian
La Bouche Magazine, ICA.
Featured in online Art blogs
The Mongrel
London Centric Global Style
Non Verbal Art
Stamp Magazine
Creative Boom
Public Republic
A La Mode
Lou Lou Beautemps
Fashion Art Expression
Art Shout
Micci Cohan
Art Documentary
Art imitates Foox � USA
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