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This large painting focuses upon the
apparent dreams, aspirations and
beliefs of the common man. The men
that go to war, to fight for 'King
and Country', believe in such ideals
as a 'Land of hope and glory' as
well as the Church, politicians and
others in authority.
To the right, is a human torso,
horizontal, entwined within the
context of the land, of rolling
hills and fields, the church upon
the hill. But is it? Isn't it also a
penis? Isn't the cross upon the hill
in the place where a penis would be?
Isn't the cross on the hill also
surrounded by red, is this blood? Is
the cross on the hill a dagger? In
fact isn't the torso/phallus figure
covered in red, is this blood as
well?
To the left is a dark human headless
shape, wearing the robes of a
clergyman leaning slightly towards
the other possibly offering the last
rights or acknowledging their
existence. But doesn't it also have
a vagina in red? More blood?
What is the dialogue between these
two forms amidst a sea of vivid
brutal impasto yellow?
Overall the picture is of death,
isolation, loss, human sacrifice,
war and the illusions of love, hope,
faith, truth and the inadequacy and
impotency of the church to help in
these situations. Yet, it is also
about the sexual potency that keep
mankind alive.
It is a dark and even nihilistic
image of someone who has died.
“Personal assessment
of Work to Date 15/6/1987”
http://www.terryduffy.info/1980s/vessel/vessel_pics.htm |