Mind Games (Matilda) - Original
- My concept, set within a classroom at Crunchem Primary School plays out a number of examples where the characters embark on mind games against each other to gain control, where bullies prey on the ‘weak’ and the timid expose a darker side.
Is Matilda that powerful in mind that she really can create such pranks and scares or is it all an act? If it is an act then an act of what? Key areas of interest where this is present within the scene are picked out with magical detail, is this a phenomenon or just your eyes playing tricks on you?
Key battles within the story are shown within the scene, Matilda vs Miss Trunchball who mocks and scalds yet is clearly of a fragile disposition. Trunchball vs Miss Honey where the hollow digs at the young woman are small fry compared to the lies and deceit that she has committed. The battle between TV and books is played out, with not only Matilda showing her destructive force against the devils’ box but the librarian Mrs Phelps getting torn into for her love of books and support of Matilda. Is Matilda working alone? Is this all the work of just one child or have others been pushed one step closer, where they are about to break?
As well as the dominant visual signs of disruption and rebellion within the classroom there are subtle scrawled messages on the back wall and the ageing desks that expand on this, I went for this especially as it has that side to it that mimics the classroom banter and name calling, petty albeit with a dollop of truth as the ignition. There is anger towards Matildas’ parents scrawled against the wall that builds to the point where a car gearbox has been smashed into a TV. This is a reference to her Dad being a mechanic who fills customers gearboxes with sawdust to swindle money. Driving (excuse the pun) the metal down into the TV is a sign of absolute disgust at Matildas’ parents who embrace the TV and how they treat people that trust them.
The battle between dark and light is evident in this piece and shown by the contrasting cold and industrial looking interior, spooky staircases, corridors and claustrophobic cupboards that we all remember compared to beautiful lighting and clear white walls. The room itself has been created from scratch, to deliver an intriguing scene that offers so much detail to study but where the intense detail is complemented with open spaces.
If you look deeper you will see that the darkest example of control and bullying is shown at opposing corners of the scene. You have the haunting chalk message on the blackboard (do ghosts really exist? Or do people just know too much?) that shows that Miss Trunchball has been keeping Miss Honey’s money from her. If you then look to the piano you will see how the magical detail that surrounds the books and leads to the hammer and then onto the smashed up part of the piano to reveal where the moneys been hidden.
All in all the piece showcases the destructive powers of the mind when used for ones own benefit, to control and confuse others to the point where you cant believe what your own eyes are telling you. -
- Released: 2016
- Collection: Storyteller
- Specification: 1 of 1 original framed embellished canvas, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 48” x 36"
- Framed Size: 54” x 41"
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
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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?!
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- 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”
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- 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
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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!
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- 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”
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- Get in touch for overseas delivery
- Please allow approximately 21 days for delivery, should you need delivery sooner please let us know.
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88 & Out - Original
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- 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"