Saturday, August 20, 2011

The Gadarene Swine


The following three items are older works.

The Gadarene Swine is oil on masonite with a carved huon pine frame, 950 x1000. The story is that Jesus came to the land of the Gadarenes and was told of a madman who dwelt by the Sea of Galilee possessed of a demon. He went to the man and said "Demon, what is thy name?"
And the answer came; "We are legion." (which is to say there were a lot of them)
"Oh Son of God, cast us not into the abyss, rather let us enter yonder herd of pigs on the hillside."
And at that the demons fled from the afflicted man, entered the herd of pigs, which fled down the hill and plunged into Galilee and were drowned all 2000 of them and the Gadarenes asked Jesus to please leave their country.
As if the well- being of one madman was more important to the economy than 2000 pigs. The Gadarenes cannot have been very good Jews, for it is the law that no pig should set foot in the land of Israel. So the kibbutzim raise them on platforms these days. Here I am emphasizing the Malthusian connotations.




The Life of the Artist







Tryptych in oil on masonite. The whole thing is about 1100x2100 mm, the frame is white sassafrass.
The artist is born to the discomfiture of parents and family. It is after all not the sort of profession they would choose however it is suitable to misfits. Later he practices his profession, chases girls and comes to the notice of the authorities, who naturally hate them for some reason known only to tyrants. Perhaps it is a sense of humour. Finally he is publicly hung, causing only minor controversy. And even in death he still has a roving eye.

Towards Fuji

This a a 7 colour separation wood block print after Hokusai about the raid on the Aum Shin Rikyo poison gas factory at the foot of Mt. Fuji. The key block is huon pine, the rest were varnished 'craftwood'. Perhaps it was the paper but I couldn't get a water based colour to work, the paper just went everywhere so it was done with oil based printers ink.