'Serotonin', 48x60, Acrylic on cigarette foil on board, 2019. Sold Growing up in the 80's and 90's meant that (for those in the know) we were exposed to a myriad of transformations, new technologies, cultures and shifts in art, music styles, fashion and lifestyles. It was a time when (in accordance with mental health institutions and schools of psychology) 'being positive', 'awakening the giant within' and the 'laws of attraction' were being promoted and heralded as the way to be and think. Think positive! The invention of the Atari, Commodore 64, the Apple Macintosh, Windows 95 (PC computers), CD, VCD and DVD players - meant that consumer mindsets and habits had to change. I, for one, was on board with this. It was new, fun, interactive. But I was (and probably still am, in most circumstances) an introvert (with the learned exception of when I'm performing music, writing or engaged in sports). This meant that I would be okay sitting down by myself for long periods of time either tinkering with these new fangled contraptions, or just listening to music or playing board games with one or two close friends. This meant reading books, comics, encyclopaedias, drawing or working at house chores alone. Learning new things alone, was a norm. When you grow up like this, you find fascination, curiosity and interest in the most simplest of things : A piece of rock sheared off a mountain or hill. In the contours and designs of a specific leaf, or the forms of moss and lichen. The textures of paint on asphalt roads, or in the cracking and peeling of paint from weathered walls - All serve to inform the inner tapestry and visual language of an introvert. In other words, and introvert is somebody who is comfortable attending to his/her inner worlds. Yes, there exists a world inside us. One that begs to be questions, prodded, understood, made sense of, ruminated upon, tested in the external 'real world' its validity, theory or otherwise. A way of being that extroverts usually regard as being 'moody' or 'socially awkward'. Extroverts don't take into account these inner worlds as severely or instinctively as introverts do. For most introverts, they do not have a choice. It's not something you can turn off, or on, like a light switch or an oven. In short, extroverts do not recharge or rejuvenate in the face of solitariness. Being alone is not the same as being lonely. While some encounter discomfort, struggle and chaos being alone - I find calmness, peace, serenity and comfort. Just mediating and navigating my inner world brings about order and organization that's needed in times of chaos and turmoil. I think it's one of the main reasons why I choose to be alone on most days, over the need to be surrounded by other people. One cannot escape being with oneself, forever. There will be a time when all we have, are ourselves to contend with. The question is : Do you look after yourself like you would someone you love and cherish? Or do you criticise, blame, judge, reduce your inner self to shreds? And if so, why? 'Entropy', 48x48, Oil on aluminium, 2023, Sold Coming to terms with one's mortality, limitations, biases, needs and shortcomings, is an intrinsic problem and conquest. I applaud those that get down to do the dirty work. For one can only run and hide for so long. Everything that we experience in life is recorded somehow on a cellular level. It's what we make of it all; that matters. It's about perception and understanding concepts and patterns. First you acknowledge it. Then you accept it. And then you let it go.
And there's a lot of work to be done in the world with regards to this. Extroverts tend to like group settings or experiences that involve lots of people. It lifts them up. Generally labelled as brash, loud and gregarious. In certain aspects I carry the extrovert characteristic : In sports or when performing music or in writing. However, I believe that in order to be confident, we must master a skill. Without mastery of an art form, there's no point in braggadocio. The analytical, organisational and critical part of me is loud and clear on this one. I'm superseded by a voice that tells me to 'think before I speak' or 'learn and master what is important to you'. It's valid. The world loves extroverts. This is evident in our social media feeds, in the financial world, in business, entrepreneurship and in the art world (to a certain extent). However, for all the numerous and overly publicised extrovert behaviour, there exists a considerable - if not equal amount of introverts. Those who quietly toil away, chisel at, who contemplate, reflect, think, write about and ponder silently - their existences, choices and words. It was introverted bankers and financiers who pointed out fallacies and shortcomings, way before a stock market or housing bubbles crashed. It is those who have loud inner voices and consciences, that see things that others don't. Sometimes we all move too fast, don't we?
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Life surprises us sometimes. It appears when we reach the top of a mountain after a long climb. Or in the way plants and flowers bloom and grow undisturbed in unsuspecting places. Or in reaching the pinnacle of our goals and aims after much hard work and toil. Only to realize that there was nothing much to stress nor worry about in the first place. That we just needed to put one foot in front of the other. I'm delighted to announce that my work 'Ambidex' will grace the front cover of an upcoming comic book release. It's for the cult favourite, dystopian-noir-detective release called 'Bullet Gal', penned by a mate of mine, Andrez Bergen who lives and works in Japan. I believe the release will be a North American one and will be distributed for free. I am not sure how that will happen but I'm pleased that both front and back covers will feature my artworks. Growing up, I devoured comics and graphic novels. The visual language and storytelling amazed, perplexed and challenged me. It informed my drawing style, and I still resonate with it - to this day. There's nothing like observing and enjoying the fruits of hand drawn characters and worlds, which exist and comes to life in comic books. I was inspired by graphic novels like The Sandman (1989, Neil Gaiman, DC and Vertigo) and A Death In The Family (1998, Jim Starlin, DC Comics) and how these rarities were presented, marketed and executed. Totally grassroots. And epic. Of course, later on I discovered Ghibli movies as well as Japanese animes like Akira et al.
So I'm happy to contribute something back to the art form of comic publishing and to the creative people behind this industry. I'd suggest that you follow IF? COMMIX for the release of 'Bullet Gal : End Game' - If this is your cup of tea. I believe that if you feed your talent, it will in turn feed you. Take those calculated risks and reach for the stars. You may just make it with hard work and perseverance. 'Alchemist', 36x36 inches, Mixed media on board, 2021 (Sold) The work aims to raise awareness and highlight issues surrounding mental health. The need for support and care in this day and age is highly underrated, yet much needed at a time like this.
One of the main causes that afflict a person's well being - an invisible one - one that's not talked about or generally understood until recently; is the topic of mental health. It's our mental capabilities that endow us with thought processes that makes us unique individuals. All throughout my life, I've encountered cases of people who suffer from stress, depression and delusions. While people may receive support; psychosomatic ills remain prevalent in many cases and are almost always difficult, uncomfortable battles. It's my aim and prerogative to be in a position to help others. I myself have undergone various forms, stages and phases of depression - ranging from mild to severe. Having experienced this, I do not wish it upon others and I'm contributing what I can; my time, materials, ideas and energy towards the rehabilitation, support and recovery of my friends and peers. It's my hope that you too can contribute in your own way, be it in raising awareness, or just being there for someone. Alchemy is the transmutation of base chemical elements. The conversion of one physical substance into another. We are all alchemists, and I appreciate your support in making the world we live in a better place for all. 'There is a voice that doesn't use words. Listen.' - Rumi 'Mien', 60x60 inches. Mixed media on canvas, 2020 (Sold) Mien implies a certain characteristic, mood or disposition. It's a way of being, appearance or manner. This work was conceptualized as a black piece to compliment my other beige/white 50x50 called 'Mujo'. In a gallery setting, they go hand in hand like siblings.
Composed primarily of disparate materials with textures ranging from matte, gloss to reflective and absorptive; what you're looking at is a curated blend of packaging, pages from 1950's - 1960's photography and art books and some handpicked flyers from gallery shows of local artists. I know everything about these materials, where they come from, what they're made of and how they were produced. On a deeper level, the work also deals with information overload and the power we've all given to the advertising industry. I've been thinking about whether all this information is a natural occurrence, or whether it's all just a man made synthetic situation? The answer, I think, lies in what our perception and definition of the word 'natural' means. I think if you look deep down inside, you'll see that everything in this universe is in fact, a natural occurrence anyway. Whether we like the ads and marketing material, how it pops up in our phones and proliferates our laptops and what we can do about it - is another story. As usual, in the work - I'm trying to synergise and transmute whatever non-animated materials I come across daily into a newly-formed-thing while keeping a mechanical technique for the painting application. Of course, while there's always some creative-artistic endeavour at play, I always leave space in the works to be happily surprised at the result. I hope you enjoy the work as much as I did while making it. |
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