Honest Takes
The above piece titled Inside, was on display in Draywalk Gallery in East London late last year. For me, it is a very hard piece to talk about. Most of my works are for me, that's why I paint.
Anyway, through certain circumstances, I requested peoples views on it, what they saw, felt, and all that. The following blocks are their responses.
I've had many people tell me what they think, but almost all of them just spewed out art word drivel. Stuff that they say about everything, they'd look at a piece of blue tack up in the Tate modern and say the same. Which is really frustrating, why can't they just say what's on their mind, if they're scared, thrilled, puzzled, it doesn't matter, it's their opinion.
But, the people who's comments you are about to read, don't waffle, and were the first to see what couldn't be seen, they told me the truth, they told me what they could see and feel.
Alison Whiting
"I rather like it, though it does suggest someone drowning...there's an underwater quality about it, and the figure seems pressed against a glass wall they cannot break. Having said that they seem hopeful, eager even, rather than in any distress. Await your explanation with interest." | Christine Veasey-Connolly
"I couldn't make up my mind whether the figure is pressing against the glass from inside a tank wanting to break free and away from drowning or were on the outside of the glass trying to get in to lose them self in the water (I think I prefer the latter)." | Jenny Baldock
"I could see the glass - I nearly cried when i saw it - it reminds of my 16 year old daughters struggle with M.E." |
