Nothing Else Matters

"The Inquisition, what a show, The Inquisition, here we go......." and so the song goes. Every time I start thinking about nudes in art, I end up thinking of Mel Brooks' Inquisition sketch in History of the World Part I . Let me explain. 

One of my favourite nude paintings is The Rokeby Venus (Venus at her Mirror) by Velásquez , seen here on the right. I love her pose, her mysterious face in the mirror, her sensuality and I was always fascinated by that beautiful 'lower back'. Perfect. I also love it because I see it as a symbol of how the nude body has been perceived in art. Completed between 1647 and 1651, Venus was portrayed from the rear probably for safety's sake rather than to tease the imagination. 17th Century Spain was a dangerous place. Anyone caught by the Inquisition painting 'lascivious' paintings was fined 500 ducats. This picture is the only (out of probably four) Venus paintings by Velásquez that still survives. In 1914, this Venus was attacked with a knife in the National Gallery in London by the suffragette  Mary Richardson . In a 1952 interview she said that she "didn't like the way men visitors gaped at it all day long". I can understand the gaping. So, beauty, men gaping, religious zeal, feminist movements.....you have it all.

I have never understood what's the big fuss about the nude human body. Beauty is the only thing that comes to my mind. I find the nudity of the soul, nudity of the inner self more difficult to deal with. Those of you who know what it means to feel 'nude' from within know how uncomfortable it may feel. But there again, with the right person it might  feel good too. And this brings me to my latest nude, seen here underneath. I'm enjoying working on this series, not only for the subject matter but also for the challenges it involves. My fascination for the line between the real and the abstract is still there but the real is becoming more 'real' than in my landscapes. I think the title of the painting says it all....Nothing Else Matters

 

nothing else matters - April 2009 

Submission

Lately I have rediscovered the human figure. It has been quite a while since my last works on the human form.The last collection on the subject can be found HERE . The image here attached is the first finished painting of a series of new works. The approach has been quite simple really, I am using the same techniques that I used while working on the Narratives in Light series but obviously a different subject matter. I'm still experimenting at the moment but I'm quite enjoying the progress so far.

For this particular piece of work I have recorded the different stages of the painting process. Each image of this short video does not necessarily mean a different session but a moment I deemed worth recording. Starting from a blank canvas to the final painting. I find the evolution quite interesting.

Tektika Tango

At the moment I am working on a number of projects for 2009, both collective and solo exhibitions. The solo exhibitions that will take place both in Malta and Rome, will occupy me for most of 2009 whilst a number of collective exhibitions will keep me occupied even further. Details of these events will be announced at a later date.

One of these events is Tektika Tango, a collective exhibition with works by a selected number of local and foreign artists working in different media on a common topic, Tango. The event should be on by the end of the first quarter of 2009, more details will be also announced at a later stage.

for more information please visit www.tektikatango.com

(original photo by Bernard Bonnici)

Prints and Calendar 2009

Those of you who asked if I have prints of my works for sale, please note that a number of my works are available for sale at RedBubble. Over at my RedBubble page you can also find a Calendar for 2009 featuring a number of my most recent works. You can see the calendar HERE

Most of my works from my latest collection Narratives in Light are also available as limited numbered and signed prints. Those Interested please have a look at the Artworks section. Beneath every artwork there is a note describing what reproductions are available. Matting and framing are also available on request

The Roman Experience

The last few months were just a rollercoaster ride. So many things have changed in my life, some for the better others not, both on a personal and professional level. The personal will definitely remain personal, but will try to make an extra effort to keep up with the professional realm here on this blog.

As you might already know, last month I had an exhibition at the Chiesa Degli Artisti, in Piazza del Popolo, Rome. The experience was incredible, not just for the fact that I was exhibiting in Rome, the eternal city, but also for the people I met, the friends I made (esp. Gabi, Roberta, Alex, Daniela and Gianni) and the valuable contacts I made.

A big thanks goes Stefania and Alberto, for their hospitality and valuable help without which the exhibition would have never taken place. Words are not enough to thank them for all they’ve done for me during my stay in Rome. Wish to thank also Ms. Stefania Severi, the curator for the exhibition at the Chiesa Degli Artisti, for all her help and patience. All in all I think the Roman experience was quite a success. Now starts the real work, hopefully in the next couple of years I will be there again.

Now its time to work on future projects. In the first weeks of March 2009 I shall be participating in a collective exhibition organised by the Tango community here in Malta. I am also working on a solo exhibition of works in Ink which shall be sometime next year. There is also the possibility that in May and December 2009 I shall involve myself in exhibitions in Rome. Will obviously keep you posted.