Here are the pictures that I exhibited in the Folkestone Art Society annual exhibition at the Leas Cliff Hall, during October 2024.
“Heaven 2024”. This represents my take on heaven, as it might be in 2024. The original work installed in Tontine Street was created in 2008 -called “Heaven is a place where nothing ever happens”. I always tended to misread this as “Palace”. Heaven sounds nicer as a palace, even if nothing happens there, and it gives us hope in our current uncertain times. Even though 2024 also marks the moment where the UK has truly entered the “Atheist age” according to studies by Kent University. The first Android smartphone was released after this 2008 art installation. 16 years later, using our smartphones is coming under fire through the freedom of speech. Would we have the ability to express this freedom in heaven using our smart phones, or would God (He – another modern contention, even though the bible itself calls God the “Father”) prevent us from using them in the palace? It now appears that our freedom is being watched in the UK in 2024…We can now end up in a different type of palace, where smartphones are also banned, while still on earth – His Majesty’s Prison! The exact same set of letters taken from the original installation are used in my rendition. I hope you enjoy the narrative that goes with this work.
✅ prints and greeting cards are available for this design. There’s an example of the prints at the bottom of this post.
The reference photograph for this work was provided to me by a professional German photographer. Taking my art to the next dimension, this portrait includes a photographic technique of using an out of focus background, plus a very challenging sequinned top.
Inspired by a royalty free image, where the white dress and flowers work so well together.
A winter scene from early 2024 taken near Maldon in Essex. I think they had just one day of snow this year! You can feel the crisp cold, the afternoon sun and the daylight moon in this atmospheric picture.
Here is a framed 300mm print of Heaven 2024. It can be printed for you in any size you choose. Greeting cards are also available.
I hope you enjoy the exhibition.