Van Gogh - Sunflowers.
Most of you I'm sure will
know this already...


I adore this painting though I have never truly understood why. I am not a fan of still life nor am I a follower of the impressionist movement, far from it. I have great respect for the 'masters' as it were, as all artists must but my prefered line of thinking, i have to admit, falls in with much more contemporary work. I am a visual conceptual artist and carry the necessary baggage that comes with that - rebellion, philosophy, sociopolitical ranting - amongst others. Yet this piece has followed me throughout my study, an icon if you like, that through all my preparation and development has remained emblazened on the retina of my artist's eye. So here it is my tribute to a man who despite his era of work is a testament to the artistic temperament - its genius as well as its anger and rebellion- accompanied with a style of brushwork and colour that was a mark of art beyond his time. Van Gogh I salute you.