Tuesday, June 03, 2003

Pinhead's World

It has occurred to me over the last couple of days that one of the new paintings I'm working on owes a lot to this painting called 'Christina's World' by American Realist Andrew Wyeth.

I'm really excited by my new work, even though its only at its undercoat stage. It dawned on me after I had done it that the composition is like Christina's world seen through a fish-eye lens. I hadn't looked at the painting for many years so I just tracked it down as I was in need of some new wallpaper. It still remains a strikingly beautiful image to me, full of mystery and narrative.

This is one of the earliest artworks I remember, along with some Hockney's, a Bridget Riley and an Arcimboldo. They were in a Rolf Harris picture book I would continually borrow from the library around the age of 6 or 7, fascinated by the strange pictures and not really knowing anything about art.

This picture cast an uneasy spell on me at an early age, but it was only after art college I read the story behind the picture - and it changed my perception of it for ever.

It is a very popular painting, people feel the girl in it looks carefree, frolicking in the grass - they don't realise she is actually disabled and crawling home. About the only clue is in the twists in her arms.

Andrew Wyeth web site

I will show you the new painting (I'm sure I will have to pay homage in its title) when its finished - I think I will have to crack on with it as its playing heavily on my mind to complete it.

Posted by Dio Bach at 15:45

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