I'm Not Afraid (A Midsummer Night's Dream) - Standard Limited Edition
£415.00
- Thou art translated...
My interpretation of Shakespeare’s famous play ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is a modern take on the beautiful classic paintings that exist, by creating an intriguing image that touches you and fuels your own imagination. I enjoy presenting a scene full of drama that you would happen to stumble upon when walking through a dense woodland. One that is compact to the point that a few metres either side and you could easily walk by never knowing it existed, or try to retrace your steps to go back to what you are sure you saw but never find, maybe it was all just a dream?
Tall, dense trees that filter light through whilst creating imposing and ever-changing shadows, mist that creeps and winds around them from a previous shower, a forest floor that is so full of life and detail where so many creatures wake when others sleep and the notion that the forest becomes enchanted, a true fairytale. Sat against one of the trees is a jaded Nick Bottom who sits dejected after having his head turned into an donkey by the mischievous Puck during a rehearsal of a play. An act that was designed to scare off the other characters and upset him but failed to achieve what was intended. The queen of the fairies Titania sits alongside Nick with her arms draped around his neck offering comfort and support.
It is such a beautiful image that on first glance can be quite random but when you look closer it portrays so much more and was the catalyst for my narrative that drives this piece. Like with the majority of my work there exists darkness and light, sadness and hope, each side by side and battling for control. This is the case here as I have combined beautiful detail and a piercing light source with subtle tinges of darkness that linger in the shadows and try to encroach on what is good, or vulnerable. Coming into the scene, appearing through the glow is Oberon, the king of the fairies, a beautiful deer wearing a wooden crown has a wonderful dream-like feel, something that you might just happen to see in a glance of an eye or when the light expands and contracts.
A solitary white dove that symbolises protection to a loved one whenever used in my work rests on a branch above which only strengthens Nick’s resolve and fuelling his determination not to be beaten. You might also notice a hare sat on it’s haunches, it’s funny I had always intended to introduce animals to my forest setting and this particular time of day here in the studio sees rabbits and hares come out from the hedgerows and their burrows and sprint about in front of me. It is so good to see as the reflection from the large studio windows allows me to watch largely unseen however they do seem to have an incredible sense of danger and speed of reaction so because of this I have positioned one close to the characters so as to become a look out and alert them at the first sense of trouble.
Through finding comfort and support from those close and in spirit Nick draws from this and rises above Puck, instead of being crushed and defeated by looking like an Ass, he finds the strength to sing! The aim was to create a piece that lived up to the enormity of the play and that embraced all that is wonderful whilst putting my own twist to it and showcasing my own style. I hope I have created not just a powerful image that is authentic to the original narrative but that I have succeeded in expanding on the sense of seeking and finding comfort through those close to you, both physically and in spirit and being able to rise up, gain strength and sing.
-
- Released: 2021
- Collection: Stagecraft
- Edition Size: 10 + 2AP
- Specification: Limited edition fine art print, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 25” x 18.5"
- Framed Size (Approx): 32” x 26"
-
- Get in touch for overseas delivery
- Please allow approximately 14 days for delivery, should you need delivery sooner please let us know.
Commissions
When workload allows Mark embraces client commissions and has enjoyed amazing success to date. If you have been inspired by the work that you have seen and have a specific idea or simply a seed then please do get in touch.
Commission EnquiriesRelated Items
'Freddy's Coming For You!' - Freddy Krueger Claw Statement Piece
£795.00
-
Gepetto he is not, but this carved wooden plinth displays the stuff of nightmares!
This intoxicating piece is the first offering to sit within his 'Against The Grain' series, a body of work that will grow over time and represents Mark's intention to continue to do things differently. Mark has built up an incredible reputation for the level of craft that shines through his unique frames, and it is these details that you now see in this piece.
Everything about this is unique, from Mark hand selecting the piece of Elm at a local timber mill through to carving the claw marks that are soaked in blood red resin. No two will, or can be the same. What starts with a beautiful (and innocent!) piece of Elm, is then stained, blackened, bashed and burnt. The haunting Freddy Claw glove has it's metal blades set into the blood resin channels and is then subjected to the same level of customisation as the plinth.
Limited to what will be just 20 original variations and priced incredibly well considering the level of craftsmanship and hours needed to create each piece. This is something that needs to be seen close up to be truly appreciated, but how close do you dare get to that glove?!
-
- Released: 2022
- Collection: Lost In Hollywood
- Edition Size: 20 Original Variations
- Specification:
- Hand selected locally sourced Elm (obviously!)
- Hand carved claw marks filled with blood red resin
- Blackened and burned
- Metal bladed claw glove
- Title and number plaque
- Hand signed by artist - Plinth Size (Approx): 19” x 9.5”
-
- Get in touch for overseas delivery
- Please allow approximately 21 days for delivery, should you need delivery sooner please let us know.
'Grab Your Stick!' - Proton Wand Statement Piece
£995.00
-
Now this is for the true obsessive GB fans! Whether you call it a Particle Thrower, Proton Blaster, Proton Gun, Positron Collider, Neutrona Wand, or Proton Wand, the result is the same! This piece looks like it’s been in a real battle and got slimed and fried AF!
I’m always striving to mix things up and look at ways of introducing my art in new formats and connecting with my collectors. Halloween 2022 saw me release something very different, and bloody dark! My Nightmare on Elm Street Claw plinth was the first piece that I have done that broke away from the traditional print editions and I loved every moment of it, and it has been so well received. It was a signal of my intentions to keep pushing and to deliver pieces that were true to my style but working with movie props to create something unique and special, whilst remaining true to my style of work. The aim was to offer a supporting piece that would complement a traditional print edition.So, my ‘RETROPLASM’ series has given me the opportunity to build on this and do something much less dark, although I couldn’t resist getting the blow torch out! ‘Grab Your Stick’ has transformed one of the coolest movie props that there has even been and made it, well I guess, funkier, and that’s before you turn the lights off – yep, the resin base glows in the dark whilst the neon paint also comes alive under lairy coloured light.
You are free to grab your stick, flick the switches and fire the sucker up! It will slam you right back to your childhood, just don’t cross the streams! Why not? Put simply, coz it’s bad, very bad! If you’re fuzzy on the whole good/bad thing, then maybe this will help. Try to imagine all life as you know it stopping instantaneously and every molecule in your body exploding at the speed of light.
Oh, but don’t stress too much, batteries are included!
-
- Released: 2023
- Collection: RETROPLASM
- Edition Size: 20 Original Variations
- Specification:
- Light up LED, sound effects and vibrations
- Blackened and burned
- Small parts to connect the stand to the wand - fragile - handle with care.
- Hand signed by artist - Baseh Size (Approx): 23.5” x 8”
-
- Get in touch for overseas delivery
- Please allow approximately 21 days for delivery, should you need delivery sooner please let us know.
 - Standard Limited Edition&media=https://markdaviesbritishartist.co.uk/cdn/shop/products/MSND-Frame_600x.jpg?v=1640695364){kind=link}
88 & Out - Original
-
- Released: 2019
- Collection: Lost In Hollywood 2
- Specification: 1 of 1 original framed embellished canvas, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 48” x 36"
- Framed Size: 54” x 41"