The sky and land are areas I love to paint but presently, my prevailing obsession is with my birthplace, Whitechapel and the surrounding area. Through my current body of work, I strive to convey to the viewer the connection I have (on a very visceral level) with where I grew up.
East Londons' history is one of abject poverty, hunger, struggle and deprivation on a level that would make today's constrained times appear prosperous by comparison. Streets that were still bearing the scars of the Second World War as late as the 1980's, were where I recently returned to see how I now felt about the area. Powerful feelings of nostalgia and surprisingly, loss, were at times overwhelming. I was surprised and pleased to find some original buildings still standing and still derelict! But the continuity was comforting, among the dust and decay.
These feelings compelled me to show through part historical, part present day depictions, what this area has come to mean to me. I use old master effects plus many translucent layers with happy accidents happening along the way. Frequently my paintings tend to tell me which direction they want to take and I have given up trying to argue!
Mary Swan Art
City, Land and Skyscapes
Artist Statement
The sky and land are areas I love to paint but presently, my prevailing obsession is with my birthplace, Whitechapel and the surrounding area. Through my current body of work, I strive to convey to the viewer the connection I have (on a very visceral level) with where I grew up.
East Londons' history is one of abject poverty, hunger, struggle and deprivation on a level that would make today's constrained times appear prosperous by comparison. Streets that were still bearing the scars of the Second World War as late as the 1980's, were where I recently returned to see how I now felt about the area. Powerful feelings of nostalgia and surprisingly, loss, were at times overwhelming. I was surprised and pleased to find some original buildings still standing and still derelict! But the continuity was comforting, among the dust and decay.
These feelings compelled me to show through part historical, part present day depictions, what this area has come to mean to me. I use old master effects plus many translucent layers with happy accidents happening along the way. Frequently my paintings tend to tell me which direction they want to take and I have given up trying to argue!
artspan is contemporary art