157. A closer look : Honiton
Acrylic on canvases in an adapted IKEA frame
42.5cm x 32.6cm
£190
Exhibited at "Members' Exhibition", The Eagle Gallery, Bedford. 17th September - 10th October 2024
Rejected from "Hertford Open", Cowbridge Halls, Hertford, 3rd - 10th May 2025
Exhibited at "Above and Beyond", Wynd Gallery, 17th June - 25th July 2025
While completing unfinished bits and bobs as part of a studio clean up, I came across this piece. Originally intended as a sequel to picture 153. A closer look : Ticket, I had hoped to include this piece in the November 2023 joint show “Creative Moments”. I thought this work would introduce a new form of storytelling; thus a partner piece was essential to embed this as a “format”.
So, I returned to this in August 2024 with the canvases part painted and all the spacers prepared and the frame ready to go. I must say, with the distance of time I find the image less easy to justify and falls nicely into the category “what’s it all about?”. I do remember how I got here, however, and I’m happy to explain that.
The train ticket of picture 153 was the starting point and I saw a series of paintings exploring how a detail of an image relates to the whole, and how combing them within a frame might instruct the viewer to re-evaluate an image by seeing the ‘bigger picture through the smaller picture’.
Though the ticket worked perfectly, I found composing additional works more challenging. It was difficult to find an image where the detail was satisfying, as was the wider view. One option I had toyed with was a medieval church door with its ornate hinge being the detail. This should work – but for some reason, I struggled, and I developed this third option. Originally the detail was to be the wall texture – and if I had a square on photo of said wall – it might have worked. (Worth mentioning here, I would be happy with the detail being a different close-up photo, but for better or for worse my “format” dictated the same photo). So, I re-evaluated the image and centred on the church hovering over the top of the wall.
Technically it became more of a challenge, as I needed to google reference to the church to get a little more detail, as my blurry origination was not adequate.
So, I got there. But what on earth is it all about? A church un-noticed? A church protected? A church hidden? – It certainly not a picture postcard portrayal of Honiton and St. Mary’s Church – so I leave it up to you. Also, dosen't it look serene? - There must be something subversive going on. Don’t ask the artist, I only work here.
42.5cm x 32.6cm
£190
Exhibited at "Members' Exhibition", The Eagle Gallery, Bedford. 17th September - 10th October 2024
Rejected from "Hertford Open", Cowbridge Halls, Hertford, 3rd - 10th May 2025
Exhibited at "Above and Beyond", Wynd Gallery, 17th June - 25th July 2025
While completing unfinished bits and bobs as part of a studio clean up, I came across this piece. Originally intended as a sequel to picture 153. A closer look : Ticket, I had hoped to include this piece in the November 2023 joint show “Creative Moments”. I thought this work would introduce a new form of storytelling; thus a partner piece was essential to embed this as a “format”.
So, I returned to this in August 2024 with the canvases part painted and all the spacers prepared and the frame ready to go. I must say, with the distance of time I find the image less easy to justify and falls nicely into the category “what’s it all about?”. I do remember how I got here, however, and I’m happy to explain that.
The train ticket of picture 153 was the starting point and I saw a series of paintings exploring how a detail of an image relates to the whole, and how combing them within a frame might instruct the viewer to re-evaluate an image by seeing the ‘bigger picture through the smaller picture’.
Though the ticket worked perfectly, I found composing additional works more challenging. It was difficult to find an image where the detail was satisfying, as was the wider view. One option I had toyed with was a medieval church door with its ornate hinge being the detail. This should work – but for some reason, I struggled, and I developed this third option. Originally the detail was to be the wall texture – and if I had a square on photo of said wall – it might have worked. (Worth mentioning here, I would be happy with the detail being a different close-up photo, but for better or for worse my “format” dictated the same photo). So, I re-evaluated the image and centred on the church hovering over the top of the wall.
Technically it became more of a challenge, as I needed to google reference to the church to get a little more detail, as my blurry origination was not adequate.
So, I got there. But what on earth is it all about? A church un-noticed? A church protected? A church hidden? – It certainly not a picture postcard portrayal of Honiton and St. Mary’s Church – so I leave it up to you. Also, dosen't it look serene? - There must be something subversive going on. Don’t ask the artist, I only work here.