The images in this post are from the 1st series of 33 different paintings I will be making from re-processed aliteratives taken from a reduced, simplified alphabetised bible. This painting is a re-imagining of different ideas and imagery from Passover, Shechem & Dinah and the early events explained in Exodus (not the Bob Marley masterpiece :-) It was great to get back into painting/ drawing again- the sheep took ages to get right...
Above is topazzed print ..underneath are a cellulose thinner print (shown left) and light base (shown right) for my painting practice.
I have always wanted to explore the meanings, story and history of the bible in my personal work- but haven't had the idea to approach it or the spark I needed until recently. I was experimenting with the word order/ sequencing in the bible following my initial intention to alphabetise, understand and reduce the bible into a basic form (single alphabetised words). Whilst alphabetising I noticed that several of the words were jumping out at me- more so than others. My responses to the words triggered my imagination and memory (of different elements and stories from the bible). Which, when mixed with my feelings about the Bible (and how it has been used throughout history to manipulate and control people) has generated some interesting images that I wanted to explore further.
The images in this post are from the first painting (and studies) for the first of 33 different paintings. The outcome (besides the paintings) will be 33 printed alphabetised, simplified Bibles (13,750 words)with my own illustrations as interpretations to challenge people to think…. and question faith (and the reasoning/worth behind what they read). The Bible has loads of good bits- but I have found that more often than not I have been frustrated by the flaws and obvious divisive components intended to create specific responses and actions (which contradict and create conflict for the reader). All of which are conveniently protected by the umbrella of faith -which renders any explanation (no matter how fantastic or ridiculous) to be viable- and any challenging question to be suppressed.
The 3 images above are the supporting drawings for the paintings in this 1st series- which will form a triptych when complete-. I have only done the drawings for second two at the moment- but I am hoping I can get on the paintings soon in these lovely light, summer evenings. I was really influenced by Chagall and William Blake's religiously themed work- which has had a major impact on the tone, texture and composition in my paintings. In particular "Mad" John Martin`s work has been a massive influence.
This image above is the finished painting- mirrored from the original composition to reference the notion that ideas and imagery from dreams and visions often appeared to have mirrored meanings / connotations (convenient... if you want to change bits and bobs when writing a big book with lots of contradictory parts...)
Above (to the left) is the first 5 pages with no duplicates- and (on the right) is page 26 (of 33)taken from the whole bible
Whether it be Lord of The Rings or one of Howard`s amazing Conan Tales- I have always been impressed by how a short verse /lament /rhyme can show the actions of a story and somehow bestow more validity and worth. I believe hymns and psalms operate on a similar premise and add context and actuality to what is arguably (to varying degrees) false. I find it very strange how the transference of a reduced text into music/ stanza - lends truth where it often isn't.
I thought it may be a good idea to include something a little more light-hearted at the end... so I have included this snap of my son Hugo- in the garden from when I was photographing the finished painting. He only had one condition... that I record his mad-fly Jedi skills with a lightsabre - sadly a yard brush was destroyed in the process.
