Flanders Watch Drawing

Saatchi has a bug in their system that misreads the sale status of uploaded art: Until it is fixed, please note this artwork IS for sale. This work was created over a period of months, driven by impulses to combine elements of ‘frog’ and ‘crown’ and ‘human’. I referred to the expressive strokes of an unknown artist’s depiction of the god ‘Guan Yu’ and to the style in which Kentridge executed his “Bird” series of prints with broad brushstrokes to try to be bolder in my own linework. I only half got it right – which is exactly good as it is because this work is so much about the journey of looking for meaning and style and coming back with handfuls of shiny pebbles to scatter into my own way of expression. The flatness and awkward pose of the man in the foreground is designed to highlight his anonymity and displacement. This artwork was completed in the morning hours of 11 November. Living in South Africa amidst social concerns vastly removed from that of Europe, it was only then that I realised that this painting was based on the epic poem “Flanders Field” (which I only then stumbled across) and was in it’s own way a tribute to fallen soldiers. The painting was therefore completed on Veteran’s day, without me even knowing that such a day of tribute existed. I feel that this painting clearly doesn’t belong to me, but to the soldiers who fought for freedom and for the safety of their families through all the ages. The charcoal, water-colour and ink and pastel drawing/painting is executed on 100% cotton blend fabriano paper. The texture of the paper is dimpled to allow the wetness of water to settle smoothly and gives the charcoal lines added texture. Derwent charcoal and Winton&Newton water-colour paint and ink was used to ensure the richest tones and highest quality work. A layer of UV-protective fixative was sprayed as a final step to seal the charcoal and pastel to the paper. This piece is best viewed while savoring the astringent aroma of a whiskey on the rocks or simply by having a poppy in hand. The work is unframed and has no hanging hardware.