A short critique on the West and its Governing Political Philosophy – Democratic Capitalism
The Wests' current
political governing philosophy, a Democratic Capitalist society, where the fundamental
principal is profit, leads me to great concern for the future of our species. This
principal value overrides that of human needs, satisfaction and gratification.
Future enhancement of this all-encompassing practice will lead to greater gaps
in monetary wealth of its peoples and all the social upheaval that comes with
this political practice - because the main thrust, value, objective of Capitalism
is profit over all other values. I feel it would also be fair to mention that
this, power (governing and industrial) is very corruptible… the old proverb of ‘power
corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely’ rings true to me as I expand
on my own knowledge of history… I would suggest our political leaders spend
more time working on their spirituality which in turn would sharpen their moral
values and hopefully lead to less corruption. The spiritual, reflective,
questioning path does lead to more compassion - for me this has been my study
and my challenge.
A possible
way to create a more positive political governing future could be a move to a
green driven socialist / modern-communist (with the understanding we now have
of industry taken into great consideration) political structure. Still
incorporating certain capitalist principals, we don’t want to eradicate the
positives of business building, but a strong government must set the tone of
the values and expectations of these industries. As a species with a lot of
knowledge, we must utilise this to the best we can by constantly reviewing and
changing where necessary negativity that seeps through and materialises. A
Theory based political governing philosophy of Critical Realism should be implemented.
Here we take knowledge and scrutinise its socio-historic content taking and
working on the positives and tackle and debate difficult problematic questions…
such as our increasing global population, the disappearing natural resources
and our effect on wildlife and the environment as surely we can’t continue on
this rapid acceleration without disabling our own resources. Most wars now are
started to control these resources. Any other government led explanation, I
would argue, is a sugar coated cover story (Weapons of Mass Destruction).
I believe a
better balanced future is possible for our species and by honest debate we can
help to build these bridges.
Love is a vibration older than mankind itself
Taken from a photograph, I wanted to create an image celebrating what this woman has done in saving another beings life, an act of truly holy merit! She truly is a Super Mummy (Arabic text is 'my mummy/mummy').
Gods Will – Greedy little paradoxes of information
This painting is a vast collection of interrelated metaphors and symbolism.
The main figure standing on the catwalk represents humankind as the centre of its own attention. Holding the smartphone with a large smiley emblem on its screen, this represents the speed of technology and the ‘must have’ techniques employed by the mass media – mostly advertising – the veins of Capitalism, represented here by the whip. The Trilobite belt buckle represents the evolution of life on the planet, fashioned in a leopard style print; this represents the fashions of science, the evolutions of science itself, as well as the gyrations of the fashion industry’s.
To the left we have a representation of one of the most iconic images during the 2011 riots in London, to the Right a Black Hole. On the man’s shirt we see Stephen Hawkins Information paradox equation, where the S symbol has been turned into the dollar sign ($). Hawkins, being tackled about this equation and proved wrong (Matter/information sucked into black holes is lost) comes back at the physics establishment with a theory that Black Holes suck in matter only to transport that matter to another dimension.
I argue that greed (part of the cause/actions of the London Riots)is our biggest concern as a species and the paradox of the information available to us is that we don’t, as a species, as a collective recognise the damage our own values as a society is doing to our own species. Corporation values are damaging the biosphere to a level where we will not be able to sustain our current way of life and may even damage the system to a point where it is completely damaging for our survival as well as that of all the other species on the planet. But then maybe these are lessons we need to learn as a species, we seem to only see the consequences when they are staring us in the face, apart from those of us that can see the interconnections at play here, maybe this is Gods Will.
The point of the painting is looking at knowledge, the progression of knowledge, fashions of this knowledge and not utilising the knowledge that we already have. A mish mash painting… but one that represents the big mish mash questions of our contemporary society, a balanced symmetrical painting unbalanced by information but holds true that there is order to this chaos. “Form and structure in chaos, mathematics for the rough and irregular shapes in nature” - Mandelbrot (taken from the Secret Life of Chaos).
Good God (Study)
This painting is a study again on tattoos.Looking to longing sexuality and temptation.
Again playing around with cliches, here we see the temptress sitting in front of a pile of logs for burning on an open fire... maybe in a log cabin.
Docking
I don't think this one needs words... but just in case, this painting is looking to Homosexual love. I'm still shocked how much homophobia there is out there.Moobs - Propaganda trolls (Study)
This Study is looking to psychology, fashion, ignorance and social critique.
The figure has the affiliation of Moobs (Man boobs) and can be viewed in two ways one he should be ashamed of this or he canvalue and accept this. The pose could be anger at himself or anger at judgments of
society.
The pressures of men have increased over the last two decades to fit a certain media archetype. This has resulted in a mass increase of cosmetic plastic surgery among men. The fashion models that fill our visual periphery does have a psychological impact. The fashions sold to us to fulfill a certain happiness desire are shown in the labeled/branded undergarment.
Could these establishments be our propaganda trolls... pushing our heads in a certain direction to fulfill their own desires?
New Dogmatic
This painting is looking to Christianity, Catholicism and the Church of England - allreligions that have spread from the words of Jesus.
The intent of this work is to question dogmatic notions of religion focusing on parents who
force their children to follow their own religion. I’m curious to thoughts if this practice was made illegal, would the religions of the land dissolve away after a few generations? After all Professor Dawkins has proved once a child is
indoctrinated in a rigorous religious upbringing it is difficult for the child to critically think beyond their original initial dogmatic education; a form of brainwashing? The Crow represents the dark side to this painting as the manipulation of power over others.
I did not want to appear Christian bashing, I believe there are many positive aspects of
the religion, and the unquestioned life after all is a life in ignorance. I think to the Bible and there are many positive ideas and notions presented. I have represented these as the leaf cutting ants climbing up the scaffold crucifix towards the child.
I have also added ants carrying an Apple Mac, I wanted to show how consumerism, especially
Apple have their products presented in their shops as items worthy of worship. Look at the altarpiece display tables, the lighting and how they help create frenzy when opening there stores. I also like the connotations of the Apple and the Garden of Eden associations to this piece; perhaps technology is the new Garden of Eden, but this also presents us with problematic dilemmas… shall we indulge completely in the apple? Or shall we just eat it when were in need of one of our five a day? Questions into the overuse of technology over spiritual pursuits and addictions into this new fast expanding technology.
Star Me Ktten - SOLD OUT
This painting is looking to fashions and changing attitudes, the 'Keep Calm and Carry On' brand has resurfaced with vengeance recently, this notion juxtaposed with the fashionable cross gendered youth in the image highlights a constantly changing society and the difficulties and challenges with fashion, sexuality, decisions to change your sexuality and perceived notions in society.The sold stickers on the wall represent the Tate show 'Pop World' which was originally to be called 'Sold Out'. This in turn is highlighting and questioning fashions in the art world, money and the real value in art.
Painted Jan 2011
Copy/Past (Study)
This study ended up helping produce a theme of adding tattoos to many paintings and pushed this idea into a large part of my new work.A simple nude study becomes something more, the Banksy tattoo on her ankle, also referencing 'copy' and 'past' tattooed on her fingers adds depth to the image. The body becomes another canvas to paint on within the image.
Thoughts turn to the way we recycle images and popularise them, especially with the ever faster uses of technology. From the beginnings of pop art to the recent mass circulation of the Abu Ghraib photos, this mass circulation of images can help us reflect more deeply as a society. As we copy and paste we copy the past making it more accessible to all with the introduction of the internet.
Painted Jan 2011/July 2011
The Goddess of Good Hope
This Painting is looking to starvation in third world countries and the idea of using insects as a renewable source of protein.I like playing with clichéd images and adapting these and pushing them a little further. I do believe there is real truth in clichéd images. Here I refer to the skulls in the babies eyes as a metaphor for death.
The Beetle, seen as a worshipped/sacred insect in many cultures, mainly the Scarab, but here I used the Stag as visually, it to me, seems the most impressive of the beetles, its powerful jaws represent a real ephemeral power.
One of its legs pointing at the Cape of Good Hope represents the theme of the painting, a chance of renewed hope in this insect food ideology.
Painted in Jan 2011, this paining marked to me a start of a new focus on the work. Where before I had not been overly concerned with the detail of the painting, after some good criticism from a close friend (Rachel), I decided that I needed to pay more attention to the detail. This led to a much better quality of work.
I Think - (Masters of the Dogs of War)
This painting is looking to War, fear of the future, acknowledgement of the nature of survival, the Blood Diamonds of Siera Leone, genocide and dictatorship.
A happy little painting...
Permaculture
This painting is looking into modern farming techniques of permaculture.
"Permaculture works with nature to make a better world for all. By observing the natural world we can see a set of principles at work. Permaculture design uses these principles to develop integrated systems that provide for our needs of food, shelter, energy and community in ways that are healthy and efficient. We can use permaculture design methods to improve the quality and productivity of our individual lives, our society and our environment." taken from
http://www.permaculture.org.uk/
I came across this work from a documentary on the BBC, I loved the way all levels of farming were worked on and allowed by nature to flourish. Below ground, above ground and tree level were all used to grow food stuffs. Getting away from our high carb diet which uses vast amounts of land this farming technique highlighted, pulses, nuts, veg and berries as a more sustainable diet for a ever increasing population. less land for a bigger yield and a better diet.
A great article yesterday in the Independent looked to how numbers of Honey Bees globally are in mass decline. Pesticides a decline in flowering plants and parasites are all in debate to the cause. I want to highlight the point of nature and how the bees are the biggest pollinators of our food sources. Now how much money and resources would this take without the Bees!? Many monetary factors never include the amazing work done by nature, for free... It’s this resource that needs the most protection, without Bees we are fucked... Homo Rapiens.
Egg eating birds in the wild will always leave one egg in the nest, otherwise where will their food come from? We need to go back and relearn from our fellow animals.
Bum Note
This painting is referencing anti capitalist thoughts.
I am someone who feels that the expanding capitalist system is not the best all encompassing global philosophy that benefits humanity's well being.
It does seem that despite efforts, the gap between rich and poor is expanding. There's an article I know exists in an old issue of New Scientist that explains this "gap" will only increase with our residing state of politics. I need to get my hands on this essay...
Obviously, humans have always bartered and exchanged good for goods... I don't have answers, i have questions to explore and a lot to learn. But I do have a strong sense of ethics and know greed is probably one of our greatest threats. Bankers... Know thyself...
One for the People
This painting was created after myself and a group of students repainted a heavily graffitied wall.The project is that of community spirit, intended to brighten up the lives of the local populace.
I think to prisons and other institutions where community projects do actually make a real difference to the people creating them and the residence of the area.
A real spiritual sense of fulfilment is enriched when we give our time and love to other people and things that effect other people.
I feel we need a real education into spiritual matters looking to being grateful to what we have instead of a culture where were shown "you need this to make you happy". Real happiness can be achieved by helping others.
Death of the Concept
I saw this tower block being pulled down and loved the bright colours of the remains of the lives of the people who had lived there; these colourful working class lives said something about poverty and colour.This painting is also looking to comments flying around in the early 90s saying “Painting is Dead” This ugly little comment still rears it’s ignorant head every now and again, but I couldn’t put this comment farther from the truth. Painting is well and truly alive and flourishing in some new and wonderful ways.
A friend also pointed out the title referenced a book he had read where with the pulling down of many of these 60s tower blocks likened Modernism to have failed in social housing. The book is Charles Jenks, “The Language of Post-Modern Architecture” – The Death of the Concept. I can’t quote this as I haven’t read it, but intend to do some research there.
Karuna
Karuna is a Buddhist term for ultimate love.I believe John Lennon was right in saying all you need is love.
The painting is set in a Post War torn apocalyptic world. There are so many films that encapsulate this landscape as our future, I’m curious if it’s not somewhere been logged in our subconscious that this will turn out to be our future. “What you think about becomes your reality” Dr Wayne Dyer.
A Chimpanzee has taken a young Tiger cub down into the foundations of a fallen in building, hiding from the ferocious Arctic winds that prevail above, Karuna, ultimate love.
(The image of the Chimpanzee and the White Tiger cub is a real image taken from a zoo in America, you can see nothing but love in the face of the adoring primate, its quite uplifting and shows real love between species)
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