Completed Mixed-Media Piece: 'Fridge 3'

'Fridge 3', Acrylics, Paper Collage, Screen-Print, Ink, Spray Enamel, French Polish,
Misc. Solvents & Magnetic Letters On Fridge Door, 81 cm X 49 cm, 2017

I seem to be on an increasing roll, as 2017 draws to its disillusioned conclusion.  That’s only as it should be really.  It’s been a year of dismay on a global scale, during which it often felt like the species has finally lost the plot altogether - plus one in which my own individual progress also felt distinctly sluggish at times.  If you chuck in the various episodes of illness and bereavement afflicting those close to me, then 2017 can just go and ‘do one’, as far as I’m concerned.

So, if more seems to be reaching a conclusion creatively, as the turn of the calendar year approaches – that must surely provide a glimmer of hope for better things in 2018.  Of course, I know that reality doesn’t really order itself thus, and that life, if not completely random - plays out in far less orderly cycles.  Nevertheless, having always been somewhat seasonally affected, the darkest, shortest days often feel like a natural time to evaluate and regroup to me.  The post-Christmas hangover is often a period in which I take a deep breath, and the New Year – one in which, like many others, I try to put my best foot forward once more.

Either way, it’s pleasing to draw a line under the third in my ‘Fridge’ pieces (shown here), and doubly so - to keep tripping over the numerous freshly prepared fridge doors currently littering my living space, and awaiting yet more imagery.  I always love that feeling of having done all the preparatory donkeywork, and of there being nothing left but to just get on with it.  With the meat of the educational break still ahead of me, the timing feels particularly apposite just now.  There’s just no reason not to hit 2018 running.

In terms of specifics, ‘Fridge 3’ follows the same basic blueprint laid down in ‘1’ & ‘2’.  It brings together onto its salvaged substrate, my by-now customary mélange of paint and collaged multi-media coupled with screen-printed elements - and focuses primarily on the motif of discarded laughing gas capsules, alluded to in ‘2’.  The text – picked out in magnetic letters once more, is another excerpt from my ‘Below the Line / Beneath Contempt’ text [1.].  If this one seems a little more cynical or brusque – well perhaps that just reflects the (in)toxic(ated) nature of much of the online debate which seeded that piece [2.].

[1.]:  Actually in 'Act 5' - to be posted shortly.

[2.]:  A cursory dip into that text ought to assure my employer that the phrase is unrelated in context to my day job, and has no bearing on my attitude towards our own young ‘customers’.

Snow Blind (Yuletide Felicitations)

West Leicester, December 2017

Ah, what could be more festive than dropping the functional Venetian blinds to exclude the blazing December sun?  In fact, the snow did come (and go) surprisingly early this Winter.  Nevertheless, along with distressing news images of starving Polar Bears - these may symbolise the unrealistic nature of our traditional climatic/festive tropes on a warming planet.  They represent a different kind of white Christmas, I suppose - if only formally.

But, honestly, it's really not my mission to bring everyone down.  I actually remain an enthusiast for an often much-needed mid-Winter festival (even if not a specifically Christian or shopping-fixated one).  My own festive run-up has been characterised by several enjoyable social events this year - a reminder that connecting with other folk in an affectionate and relaxed mood is the best aspect of the whole deal.

So, Happy Christmas, one and all.

Knee-Jerk Reaction

West Leicester, December 2017

I haven't photographed any of these for a while, but something about this one caught my attention.  Possibly it was because my own knees were aching a bit after being out on my bike for a couple of hours.  Perhaps it was just to do with the pleasing way various shapes within the image relate to each other.  Maybe none of that really matters, and it just is what it is.  

'Below The Line / Beneath Contempt': Act 4

 'Below The Line / Beneath Contempt'

Act 4

Scene 1:

This is the greatest Constitutional Crisis since the time of Charles 1. We are seeing the country splitting asunder and this is one of those dangerous moments in our long history when the country is in the process of flux and change.

You don't stop decay by continuing with it - you cut it out and replace it.

There is an alternative to democracy though and that is civil war.Bring it on bro.

Blah blah yet more irrelevant anti-democratic blah!

You want civil war? God, you people are dangerously stupid.

Civil war?

Fought with what?

Listen to yourself, man.

You do realise the UK is insignificant?

We could save ourselves a lot of expense and bother by simply burning it to the

ground.

Why do you hate the uk so much?

No I don't hate our country - but I do hate it being 'run' by people who clearly 

have no plan whatsoever - and whatsmore have such contempt for people that 

they refuse to even describe in the vaguest of details how they might be 

planning.

My government (locally and nationally) is corrupt.

A bankrupt government of nation wreckers staring at the abyss of their own creation...

Maybe its a rogue govt and we can all get back to normal soon

We don't have a plan. We drive lorries, work in a supermarket, type letters.

Scene 2:

Nationalism is the most divisive force in human history. It's a shame the Brits are so addicted to it.

We have increasing numbers of people using our national flag as a banner to rally behind to promote a racist and xenophobic rhetoric of hate and division.

You can walk down our local high street any day of the week and hear people swearing oaths - some of them not exactly showing tolerance and respect to others

The English version of nationalism has a nasty, brutish flavour.

More of us need to challenge this bullshit whiny victimhood stance from people who lie about never hearing English spoken in their towns.

Nationalism - Being proud of people you don't know and stuff you did not do.

My national anthem requires me to ask a god I don't believe in to save an unelected head of state who like me is only in her position by accident of birth.

sort of my country wrong or wrong as per usual.

I'm British by accident of birth.

I happened to be born in England to English parents.

We have an "official" national religion that was created by a morbidly obese, pustular, bully who changed his wife with more regularity than his underwear.

Religion and the monarchy need to be kept right out it.

Fool Britannia!

Scene 3:

Britain's history is one of immigration and a changing identity,which has occurred over centuries.

Of course we were rather expert at exporting an idea of Britishness throughout the world,unfortunately if the indigenous population wished to be left to their own identity it was fostered on them at the point of a gun.

And exactly what is this

'national identity' of which you speak?

Glibness and Superficial Charm

Manipulative and Conning

Pathological Lying

Shallow Emotions

Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature

Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity

Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle

That's about right. Well said. Got it in a nutshell!

Ah, the truth. Good stuff, the truth. It'll set you free, you know.

And the English wonder why they are so disliked not only in the other parts of the UK bit abroad as well ........

Keeping things 'tacit' wasn't the liberal way. Many of us will attest to periodic Diversity Training to make us aware of non-British values, so why the double-standard?

There is an inbuilt fear of strangers in the human race, and in most animal species. A single stranger isn't a threat to the tribe, but a large group is. Is not right or wrong, but it is nature taking its course. It might be hoped that as human beings we can gain ascendancy over our instincts but this takes commitment and intelligence.

You missed out forcing the UK working class and poor, of all colours and creeds, to fight like rats in sacks for crumbs with millions of even poorer people from abroad.

How dare they be not like me gran? Why do these people have to be different? It's a bloody disgrace.

What is it about 'non-white people' that you dont like?

However, poor white people aren't allowed to think of themselves as victims.

I disagree - they find it fucking easy to be the victim.

You've been given plenty- don't pretend.

Fool. We already had more privileges than anyone else.

The reasons your lives were so comfortable are the very same reasons many other lives were anything but. You have not earned any right to self-pity.

It's kind of like everything isn't completely about you isn't it?

Hell, if you're not going to tolerate foreigners, I think we have carte blanche to not tolerate whoever we choose not to? Right?

It's you race baiting identity politics intolerant liberals who are doing this!

I know that it's easier to just shout 'racist!' when you don't understand why people don't think like you, but it doesn't really help.

Everyone that doesn't agree with you becomes the enemy and many people are getting very tired of that.

It will only continue while you still refuse to budge and accept other people's opinions.

It is entirely your own fault that all of these movements are happening.

Is this the kind of change you so gleefully are vying for? It's already happening so anti-PC racists like you can rejoyce.

Another note, the language on these chat rooms seems to be getting more inflammatory and judgemental. The majority of people aren't xenophobic so please don't label people like that. We are all ordinary people with different outlooks that's all.

The talk about it being all about concern regarding the liberal elites is a false narrative. Essentially some people got sick of being told they couldn't be racist - now they have licence to hate foreigners for no reason again.

I always had the feeling that most people complaining about "political correctness gone mad" were just resentful they couldn't talk about darkies and poofs out loud.

Scene 4:

Britain is a backwater.

But Britain is the most charitable country on the face of the planet. We donate more to charity than any other nation.......that means we are the kindest. Since kindness is perhaps the greatest of all human qualities...........Why would anybody not be proud to be British?

I'd add that Britain has contributed so top-notch science and engineering over the years and there's a strong history of invention. I'd also add the rule of law, a strongly independent judiciary and a relative lack of political corruption. And the fact that the police aren't routinely armed.

And public transport that's invariably on time. Obviously.

It's the great thing about caring, you can do it for more than one thing at once.

It's pluralistic in many ways, a major failing is that it's not pluralist in terms of 
thought.

There's a difference between being kind and being unconditionally kind.

Unconditional kindness will inevitably lead to a kind person being trampled on, as unkind people will realise they can do whatever they like to the kind person without any fear of rebuke.

Are we not allowed to decide who we want to be kind to?

So yeah fine; be nice and kind but you’ll end up in a cardboard box

What a !dreadful view of humanity

The most sensible manner in which to carry on is to start out with kindness, but to temper that kindness when confronted with those who'd seek to take advantage of it, or to behave unkindly in some other way.

Kindness is strong, the nationalists are degenerates.

I said the truth, and the truth is always strong.

I suppose if you're making no sacrifice at all then you can't really say you're being kind. At best you're being indifferent.

Yes. Essentially that's what kindness is - putting yourself out to help others.

The 1% are never kind. The 99% are kind to a greater or lesser extent - political left or right is irrelevant.

It doesn't matter what side of politics people come from compassion is particular to the individual. trying to out compassion one side or the other is foolish.

Interesting how the Left and Right take ownership of certain words as part of their branding and efforts to sway hearts and minds. The Left uses 'kindness' and 'compassion' a lot, while the Right employs 'liberty' and 'freedom'. When you think about it, it's amazing how immensely powerful a single word can be. The right word or two in the right place and time can alter the fates of millions, and through them, the world.

Wording matters

Scene 5:

I'm now a non-citizen in my own country.

Don't cry.

I am a lefty with a different opinion than yours. I hope that in your populist world, different opinions are still allowed.

Grow up please.

Abject tosser.

He's a noisy pisshead who keeps himself awake from drink to drink with the sound of his own voice.

I put it down to brain damage through long-term abuse of alcohol. I've seen it first hand several times.

Time to close this drinking club for old farts and bring some democracy to it

English have super sparkling wine...

That is simply rubbish.

That is actually true. English sparkling wine can be really, really good.

Really? Lets be realistic and use intelligent arguments (and the one here is that with 

the amount of duty added to alcohol in the UK, import duties are really not going to 
be a significant issue). But to pretend that we have anything better than some 
adequate if rather expensive wines is just ridiculous - it's about latitude and sun.

advertising -> advocating. Damn autocorrect.

Have you been on the sauce?

You don't need spell check - you need yell check.

have you had an early start on the

lotion?

Put the alcohol down and have a sleep.

Give him time. The pubs haven't shut yet.

Love the shadowy foaming tankards!

Parties and breweries spring to mind...

I'll drink to that!

How much does a pint cost though?

Work In Progress: 'This S(c)eptic Isle': 'Flags' 3

Untitled:  Acrylics, Paper Collage, Ink, Spray Enamel & French Polish On Paper,
40 cm X 60 cm, 2017

Here's the latest of my paper-based flag'pieces.  It's been a few months since I last worked on these - having devoted much of the intervening period to sorting out the technically more demanding 'Fridges' (amongst other things). 

Working on something with slightly simpler technical issues in recent days, has provided a moment of comparative relaxation.   And actually, these flags, whilst possibly something of a blunt instrument - still feel pretty key within the overall 'This S(c)epic Isle' project.  That's obviously, in part, a reaction to this country's self-defeating Brexistential implosion - as well as to the creeping nationalism of global politics generally.  It definitely feels like the philosophical and ideological battle for the soul of the twenty-first century is really gaining momentum as we move deeper into its second decade.

But, less portentously, these images also hold currency for me because of the influence of this summer's major Jasper Johns retrospective at London's Royal Academy.  The use of the flag (of something supposedly already understood) will always be primarily associated with Johns.  His exquisitely dead-pan dealings with it are perhaps, above all, a formal/philosophical exercise.  However, their arrival, at a moment of escalating cold war and expanding American hegemony may also indicate a rather more engaged hinterland than is sometimes acknowledged.  

It's also worth noting that the Johns show also felt like another validation of my own tendency to work in series - or at least in closely-related clusters of pieces.  As it emphasised, Johns' oeuvre is littered with distinct, formally unified, sub-bodies of work, discrete print runs, and the processes of working through a particular idea via multiple iterations of the same motif.  Such conscious 'digging-in' and self-reference is, of course, a feature of many an artists' process - it's just that Johns has always felt like a particularly poised exponent of such an approach, to me.

Anyway, this makes eight flags, and I'm currently wondering whether to draw the line here or if there might be a couple more to come.  As with the others, this one is technically still  'work in progress'  It's certainly reached a certain level of visual resolution - but my internal debate over whether to add another layer of clearly legible text to them chunters on.  I also feel like they might get repurposed as a visual element within a proposed audio-visual presentation of my 'Below The Line / Beneath Contempt' text.

2017 has been a year of starting loads, but one which often felt a bit like walking through treacle.  Pleasingly, it's definitely finishing more fluently than it started.  Hopefully, next year will be one in which more of these creative questions are resolved - and a load more stuff actually gets completed, once and for all.  That's the plan, anyhow...