Painting coal white was used as a punishment in the
British armed services. It was a tedious act worsened by
the redundancy of the action.
It’s not just the ridiculous nature of painting coal white
that intrigued me but as a metaphor for artistic practice.
Creating something out of nothing or changing the way
the viewer looks at the world, challenging what is
perceived as real and providing visual stimulus is what
the artist is expected to do. There is an association with
or assumption of magic to artistic practice. As if an artist
fulfils the role of a present day sorcerer or alchemist.
This work explores the magic of the creative process
and the punishment an artist endures for taking this
path.
Exhibition
10 'Allotments' The Schwartz Gallery.