Graphite, watercolour, pencil, soft pastel & pen on paper.
37.5cmW x 25.5 cmH (Frame 50.7 cmW x 38.7 cmH)
Many months ago I started an oil painting which I titled ‘The Promise”. There were many different interpretations of it’s meaning but for me it was symbolic of how the only promise that was never broken was the promise of death.
The inspiration for this piece was born from the uncertainty I was feeling in my relationship. I wanted to love him and be loved by him. I wanted us to be together and share our lives. I also didn’t want to be in a relationship that took time and energy away from myself and my art. I wanted space and freedom and I wanted to be with him. Somehow, we manage to have all of that and no small part of the reason is because he is endlessly ensuring that I don’t loose sight of my own bigger picture, even at the cost of ‘us’. However, despite all he does to show me how much he cares for me and my aspirations, I still find myself torn by the conventions of what a ‘traditional’ relationship should be and I become confused. During these times I take this confusion and transfer it to him until I find myself adamantly believing he wants to leave me when, in actual fact, he is devotedly giving me exactly what I want.
It was during one of these phases that this concept was born. Whether it is him I trust or my own twisted version of reality, the the only eternal promise which I could be certain of was the one of death. There are no grey areas in this promise, it will be delivered. I found that knowledge bitter sweet.
Originally I planned for this oil painting to be a part of ‘Accept/Resist’ but I started to panic at the thought of selling it. It meant so much to me and I had put so much of myself into it. In the end, I decided I could not part from it so have kept it in my personal collection.
I knew I wanted this concept to be in ‘Accept/Resist’, so ‘The Dance’ was born. It is a blissfully happy scene if you let go of preconceptions about the skeleton and scythe. It explores the dance I live with each day, ebbing closer to death while still being surrounded by life and beauty. This piece makes me feel the dichotomy of accepting and resisting- she leans back and pulls away from it, but blissfully allows death to hold her weight. She is at peace in accepting death as her partner in life.
If you are interested in giving “The Dance” a space in your world, please contact Platform Gallery directly.
Accept/Resist 11th-28th October
Platform Gallery
194 Katoomba St, Katoomba, NSW 2780
Ph: 02 4742 0047
E: hello@platformgallery.co
W: www.platformgallery.co