In this painting I wanted to repeat a formula, that of my 2013 ‘Imaginary Painting of Mary-Sabine’. That was literally my intention., still I wanted the same ingredients, but a new soup. So there you have the full figure, classic pose, overarching horizon, expanding landscape, the profusion of objects, the trick with the skin.. but the result was incredibly different, which surprised me, I wanted a reliable masterpiece, and got a mottled half-breed ragamuffin, full of character and absolutely non-classical instead. I wouldn’t say it’s in complete opposition to Mary-Sabine, but surely of an incompatible nature. I was foiled, but in retrospect I should have known better. After all, how many painters attempt, say, a Virgin with Child, same daytime composition, same elements, even same pulverised lapizlazuli in the robe, and get unfailingly a new specimen each time.
So here we have a ‘naturalists’ dream (or maybe more of a feverish vision after a heat strike). We see a monkey-lady that holds captured birds and examines their eggs with a classifier’s intent, at least judging by the notes and paraphernalia scattered at her feet. The scientist is herself worthy of examination, as, even if carrying the tools of the trade with her, she nonetheless wanders the land naked, covered only by tufts of amber fur.
I realise I’ve been just describing the piece, rather than giving any hints as to the reasons behind it. I have to admit sometimes in creating a new work, and this is a case in point, I knowingly allow myself to be carried onwards by a capricious idea, trusting at the end of the turmoil to find the reasons underpinning it all to be apparent and somehow already set under the chaos. Some results are more unexpected than others, more so when I begin with such boring rules as I did in this occasion. The result is here, unavoidable, the adventure begins!
