AN ALIEN IN MY GARDEN Print

An alien in my Garden I initially based these pictures on the swirly pattern of the American Christmas candy cane. Hence the traditional colours used of green, white and red as circular stripes. I painted this image around the Christmas season 2023. This was a humorous look at the contentious issue of migration as a political issue. Using the word 'alien' to symbolise a stranger or someone different to the normal group, I presented this 'alien' as an odd white potato head character looking through the undergrowth. The point I make in this picture, is that if you look closely at the shrubs; there are all sorts of weird and wonderful 'alien' creatures there as well. Meaning that who we decide to single out as alien, different or an outsider is actually subjective when you examine the complexity of human ancestry. There is also a small reference to the narrative of the biblical account of lucifer in the garden of Eden. The 'alien' in my picture appears quite friendly, smiling and happy. My point being, that we can all be deceived into making wrong decisions just as Eve did. This is as far as I would take any allusion to biblical theology! Can I be clear this picture it is not intended as political statement for any particular political position. There's has been quite enough contentiousness about the issue and perhaps we should all lighten up abit! I think it's important that artists contribute to the debate in a visual way as to who or what we are as a society. Providing thought provoking images around a topic of national interest is one way artists can contribute to the debate in a constructive and polite way. The picture would fit exactly in an A2 frame can which can be bought at low cost from many shops or retail outlets. Paints and paper are of a professional quality. The paper is heavyweight and acid free so will not yellow with time. The paints are professional grade watercolour and acrylic inks. Anthony Richard Martin 21/09/2024