The response to the Behemoth work was constructive and useful. It was well hung by Red Propeller and all in all I'm fairly happy how it all turned out. Now I'm back home it's time to get on with the next project that already has about ten paintings started. Much like the last show's work, based on Dreyer's film about Joan of Arc, the next project is something I've been loosely tumbling over in my head for a fair old time - Dante's Divine Comedy.
I started the work earlier this year as I was coming to the end of the Behemoth paintings but the original inspiration to actually approach the subject came from Tom Phillip's interpretation (the book was a birthday gift over twenty five years ago), this then led to me getting the Dore illustrations of the text, and then the poem itself. I have attempted to start the project a couple of times since then but I didn't have the available time to disappear into it fully, consequently the efforts were only useful in identifying how I didn't want to progress the work.
After various email conversations with far more informed people than me (in particular an English arts journalist and an Italian arts academic) I've been directed to some really useful research on the subject.
I certainly will not be illustrating the poem as I feel that has not only been done far more effectively than I could do (or would even want to do), but there will be little room to work in a manner where I can interpret and evolve the work to reflect the current political and moral issues that I feel deeply about.
The work is more likely to be a blend of Dante's and Denning's journey. Clearly I will be led by the inspiration I've always found in the original text but I want to explore my own personal prejudices along the way. This is going to be a very busy year in terms of actual painting work - I will be exhibiting The Inferno in Bologna next January, Purgatory will be shown in New York in September and then there's Paradise. We don't have a venue for that yet but we'll have at least a year to find one. Assuming I can actually deal with painting Paradise...
5 comments:
Your just copying LAzaride. He has been planning an Inferno show for months and now you get and say your doing it too. I dont know where you get off calling yourself an urban artist or a Stuckist either, Ive been to at least 3 Stuckist exhibitions in London and your work is NEVER there. Your just a like some artist opportunist jumping on bandwaggons for selfish self promotion and the stuff in st martins REALLy is just gcse level work
Ahhh – ‘Anonymous said...'
You have obviously mistaken yourself for someone who knows what they’re talking about. I will not be making the same mistake. Thankyou for your clearly well though out comments, with a weight of conviction massive enough to justify hiding behind an anonymous post. There’s obviously a bridge somewhere in Mordor missing its troll. It would be easier to delete your comment, but I shall address your concerns.
Firstly, I am not copying Lazarides, or any of his artists that are showing on the theme of Dante’s Inferno this October. Neither am I (or they) copying Robert Rauschenberg, Tom Phillips, Gustave Dore, John Flaxman, Franz von Bayros, Botticelli or anybody else that has considered tackling this subject. There’s a tradition of it – you know?
Secondly, to the best of my failing memory, I have never called myself an ‘urban artist’ – though others may have. If you know differently then please inform me.
Thirdly, I have always allied my work to the Stuckists as I felt (when I originally contacted Charles Thomson) that some of their concerns matched mine. I have exhibited with them at a show in John Moores University in Liverpool. Despite being asked to exhibit witrh them since I have had too many other pre-arranged commitments that have not made it possible.
On your final point – your personal critical assessment of my work currently on show – you are fully entitled to your opinion. Because of my age I have no GCSE qualifications at all so it is heartening to know that I have a target to aspire to. l am also relieved that there was no admission charge to the gallery or I might feel obliged to refund you.
Hello Guy.
Top marks on a splendid reply to a completely uneducated comment by Mr A. I paint myself and have a wide range of influences from John constable, augustus john, bellini,rodin and a chap called Guy Denning. Subjects and objects have been painted over the centuries simply because the subject or object is worthy of it yet the mind and vision of the artist is surely what is key to the process. I cant wait to see your vision of D.D.C. What a perfect subject. ps just purchased Moral Panic.... DIVINE..PAINT ON G.D
Fuck you Anonymous
I like your paintings Mr. Denning,
and great response btw
Hi Anonymous,
I think you may find that if you had a higher than GCSE level education yourself you might realise that as so many of our great artists are currently covering the subject of the divine comedy, you would be aware that it is the perfect subject to mirror the current world in which we find ourselves living.
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