Eros - 2019

Eros’

Monument to philanthropic efforts of Lord Shaftesbury

My three year fascination with Eros monument in Piccadilly, is an experience, which, has inspired me to create visual, poetic and philosophical responses, underpinned, largely, by drawing in a variety of media and careful research.

Walking through Piccadilly, now, not flanked and tailed by my students, I was finally able to indulge myself as an artist. I was, in its presence, stopped in my tracks and arrested by its classical splendour. As though a hinge was on my neck to look up and see the stars.. in the form of Eros, poised on an equally beautiful plinth sculpted by Alfred Gilbert, with an elaborate and elegant beauty, under the balled foot of the statue... poised for an ascending trajectory, in his quest for the ..’divine’

This being the true meaning and purpose of Eros…..

The inspiration

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The sketches

I chose to use ink and nib for many of the sketches.. it became tactile as I progressed.. using my fingers to create sweeping tones.. I enjoyed the immediate and often accidental effects.. and I found that the less I did by way of finish.. produced a more convincing impression of the life, vitality and beauty which I was aiming for..

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Eros in Piccadilly

Eros the performer features acts from the general public around the plinth of Eros in Piccadilly. My intinial responses to Eros in Piccadilly was to see him in the round.. each step aside below altered the pose and dynamics of the figure.. where in total it was white incredible that within 360 degree radius he could appear to be both flying and stationary.

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Eros the Performer

The ‘Eros performer ‘ paintings grew out of a sunny afternoon visit to the monument where .. crowds were gathered in Piccadilly scattered around the plinth with dancers performing to latino music.. everybody was standing .. clapping , moving to the rythmn s as the dancers strutted and glided .. quite acrobatically... with Eros above.. central to the action below.. as though he was the conductor.. the galvaniser of joy and human spirit at its best.. underlining the spiritual purpose of selfless love.. we know Eros for….and in stark contrast to the night images of him dwarfed and seemingly diminished in spirit by the giant and vulgar messages of Coca Cola .. GAP.. BMW whirling around him.

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