Subway Funk #3

Subway Funk #3 & #4 imagine strange biomorphic figures emerging within the visual world of the underground subway: concrete walls, painted signs, graffiti, warning colours and layers of marks left by countless passing hands.

The large yellow forms are abstract, yet they carry an almost human presence. A curve becomes a head, a dark opening suggests a face or torso, two shapes appear to lean toward or turn away from one another. Like seeing figures in clouds, the eye begins to create its own characters from forms that were never intended to describe an actual person. I sometimes think of them as bio-humans, beings somewhere between figure, symbol and imagination.

Industrial yellow and black give the paintings the raw energy of subway signage, machinery and warning markings. Against them, turquoise blue and the broad white ground introduce another quality: cooler, softer and more fluid. There is a subtle meeting of masculine and feminine energies within this contrast, strength alongside softness, weight beside movement.

The surfaces have been built through oil paint and cold wax, with layers added, scraped back, drawn into and covered again. Drips, scratches and partly hidden marks remain visible, echoing the constantly changing surfaces of subway walls where graffiti is painted over only for another image to appear.

Although the two paintings speak the same visual language, their characters seem to behave differently. In #3, the forms are more separate, almost like individual figures occupying the same space. In #4, the two dominant forms appear more connected, perhaps even engaged with one another.

Subway Funk sits somewhere between graffiti, abstraction and the human figure. The paintings do not tell us who these strange inhabitants are. They leave that part to the viewer.

This painting is a very modern, contemporary abstract work that would look fantastic hanging in your home.

Title: Subway Funk # 3

Size: Large Painting – H100cm x L120cm D4cm

Medium: Oil, oil sticks, pencil and cold wax medium on Canvas

Unframed: Price displayed

Framed: Price on application with Raw Tasmanian Oak floating frame

To View:  Please contact me to arrange an studio appointment or we can meet on Zoom.

Additional Information: This painting is produced using high quality materials and comes professionally stretched, ready to hand with D rings.  It is signed and dated on the back. 

Please note SHIPPING is NOT INCLUDED in the artwork sale price

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