nine mouldscapes; these are mixed media on wood panel, 15cm x 15cm x 4cm…

here are three of the panels, photographed at a jaunty angle…

mouldscape I (side-ish view)

mouldscape II (side-ish view)

mouldscape III (side-ish view)
and all nine mouldscape panels, full on…

mouldscape I

mouldscape II

mouldscape III

mouldscape IV

mouldscape V

mouldscape VI

mouldscape VII

mouldscape VIII

mouldscape IX
these small paintings on panel are currently on view in the artworks exhibition at blackthorpe barn, open daily. 10am – 5pm, 11 September to 3 October 2010…
why only nine? well, i only managed to complete nine in time for the exhibition – i have plans to do at least twenty five… which would give me more opportunity to develop patinas, textures, surfaces, etc – i also like very much working on this smaller scale – they become extra tactile objects – the gaze extends to the touch…
is it real mould? no! i would never entertain any kind of mould in the house – it can be deadly – no, these are just creatively adapted from nature…
why mould, exactly? am just endlessly fascinated by things that are simultaneously beautiful, a little bit ugly in the wrong context (or eyes) and equally a little bit in awe of, not quite knowing if it is good or bad, a sign of life or death… it’s quite existential stuff, really…
perhaps they also act as visual antidotes to all things sterile and clinical in our western culture – and the persistent culture of fear that the media (especially the daily mail) continually perpetuates – and the environmental pollution and health issues that evolve as a result of seeking to eradicate all signs of a natural, biological world… have i said this before? nature is quite cruel really, we must respect its ecology…


September 22nd, 2010 - 4:14 pm
These are beautiful, such a rich patina, if I saw them in a gallery I confess I would want to touch them. I know this might sound odd but do you use a heatgun to get those textures?
September 23rd, 2010 - 10:19 am
thank you, lisa!! no, it’s not an odd question, very astute… yes i have done in the past but not on these particular small pieces – more painterly monoprint/type, layered transfer techniques, with acrylic/chalk gesso… in the past, have used sanders, heatguns, squeegees, scribes, etc, but it is sometimes more appropriate to work in more delicate & refined ways…
August 7th, 2012 - 9:18 am
Great,your work.J’aimerais bien le voir en realite (”live”).Moi aussi je suis tres interesse dans les questios de la materialite picturale.Felicitations et merci.Serban
August 7th, 2012 - 9:50 am
In Google translation: Great, your work. I’d like to see in reality (”live”). I too am very interested in the materiality of painting questios. Congratulations and thank you. Serban
August 7th, 2012 - 9:51 am
Thank you Serban, much appreciated