Explorer - Limited Edition of 1 Artwork

Based on and Inspired by “Self-Portrait (Dedicated to Paul Gauguin) (1888)” by Vincent van Gogh. This piece explores how the Ocean takes us on a journey……Physical exploration is used as a metaphor for how one is able to travel in the mind. An attempt is made to marry traditional with contemporary. The portrait is based on an impressionist self portrait but layered with an idyllic image of the open ocean shot from a remote Portuguese island that is part of the Acores in the Atlantic. On this remote piece of land there is an intense feeling of being “in the middle of nowhere” as we encounter nothing but horizon and magical silver light at dusk. The tiny island of Graciosa site almost halfway between the USA and Europe. The artwork was created as part of the Saatchi Art "The Other Avatars" NFT project. The project was a huge divergence for me, but this drove me to creatively explore in new and incredibly exciting ways. I tried to marry old with new and understand as much as possible about what we believe to have held meaning for the artist, and I often used the ocean despite knowing that he lived far from the sea with limited contact with it… Van Gogh was however most inspired by Japanese woodblock prints. This influence was so strong that Van Gogh’s even changed his style and subject matter. He was particularly taken by the Ukiyo-e style which were in essence pictures of an imagined floating fleeting world. This work alluded to the illusionary nature of the natural world… Woodblock prints gave Japanese culture a means of expression combining perception with culture and philosophy of life. More idealist than realistic. In this self Van Gogh self portrait (dedicated to Gauguin) such was the influence of Japan, that the artist modified his eyes to look more Japanese. It is because of this influence that I often used the ocean in my portraits of him as this is a strong influence on Japanese art. For the creative process, Van Gogh’s self portraits were used as a base and digitally manipulated into the different personas. Just as in the age old process of woodblock prints which involved 4 stages of a process and different craftsmen, I digitally layered different photographs, sketches and experimental pieces from the studio on a blank canvas. Many were Images of the the ocean, the sky and also of fire captured in slow motion. This was completed in Photoshop in order to combine the various elements into a unique digital file. Throughout the process there was a conscious intention to attempt to incorporate the artists’ original style or source of inspiration: Bold contour lines, prominent diagonals, a high or absent horizon, a unique way or representing space with emphasis on foreground and background and giving prominence to the natural world. I isolated myself for 3 weeks during the early stage of the creative process in order to truly inhabit another world. Image details: Using a combination of specially selected materials the HD plexiglass is designed to bring out the best colour rendition & sharpness possible. Bonded using the finest UK made fine art adhesive your images are fully UV protected & sealed to last a lifetime. Image dimension: 81 x 81 cm (32 X 32 in.) External dimensions: 82.2 x 82.2 cm in a contemporary Aluminium Frosted Silver Aluminium frame mounted behind HD plexiglass. Mount: 3mm Crystal clear plexiglas Frame : Slim 5mm front & 35mm depth Silver Aluminium Contemporary Frame Velvet lined backing Hi-definition 12 colour printing Certified for 100+ years EDITION OF 1 – $2350 Available in a single larger size of 100cm (40 X 40 in) - $3000 + shipping Please contact curator@saatchiart.com if you are interested. Available unframed as Giclée print if preferred . GICLÉE PRINT ON HAHNEMÜHLE FINE ART BARYTA PAPER Edition: Limited to 1 copies accompanied by authenticity certificate Paper: Hahnemühle Baryta paper 325 gsm, 100% α-cellulose ISO 9706: Museum quality for highest age resistance Acid- and lignin-free Inks certified for 100+ years and professionally framed and finished. Note: Produced with 2 in. of white border to ensure accurate cutting edges Packaging: Rolled in a tube FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT E-mail: WEBSITE INSTAGRAM SAATCHIART