£405.00
I have chosen to focus on the surreal Jareth’s ball scene from the movie, the option to show within the maze itself was there but I wanted to do something much lighter, more classic. I set out wanting to create a beautiful, dream-like piece that is visually light but has dark forces working throughout the scene to mimic the qualities of the film that was unquestionably equally dark as it was bizarre.
I constructed the scene from scratch, utilizing parts of images that I saw potential in that allowed me to build my ballroom to match what I had in my head, one that drew from the characteristics of the one shown in the film but to take it to where I wanted to go. The composition channels the eye through the scene and up and out to the top of the steps to a point where you use your imagination to decide what is through the forest. This perspective creates a sense of journey that was key to the narrative, culminating in thirteen steps to the staircase - a nod to the thirteen hours that Sarah had to defeat the Goblin King.
There are subtle references within the scene that are from the film or an interpretation of elements, I will leave you to find these. The darkness that runs throughout is represented not just by traces of blackened smoke but by the thorns that weave down stone balustrades and break through the walls. This creates a dramatic contrast to the whimsical ballroom whilst also showing a continuation to past pieces such as ‘Marry Me Bitch’ and ‘Where Demons Roam’. The lead focus to the piece and to the concept is the open cage that sits on the stone column. The owl is shown flying away which hints at the Goblin King being defeated at the thirteenth hour.
This leads onto the underlying concept that I have introduced into this piece in that the cage represents Bowie’s disease that restricted him, the open door and the owl in flight symbolizes his passing and being free again. A single dove feather sits within the cage, you might expect this to be an owl feather but it is a dove to signify not being alone. I feel the owl in flight is a powerful image in itself but when you then look at it from this angle then it gives the piece a subtle and poignant quality where an iconic film, and genuine icon are have been respected.
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.
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£225.00
£1,095.00
Moving up a decade and into the late 90s, what a film Guy Ritchie’s ‘Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels’ is. A classic example of an incredibly complex and clever plot that leaves your head all over the place even after you’ve watched it again. It’s genius!
I was drawn to creating a piece based on this film in the same way I was towards ‘Trainspotting’ because of it’s grittiness, quality cast with legendary quotes and also a stunning soundtrack. It has everything and again like I have found myself repeating over and over again to my daughter recently, what a truly great decade the 90s were for music as well as everything else!
Music always plays a big part in my artworks and consumes me whilst I am creating each piece - without doubt the bands from the 90s’ were just endless and listening to them all at full pelt almost meant me rupturing my tendon in my foot again but I came out of it unscathed! It is definitely one of those pieces with the intensity of the detail that makes the process all a bit of a blur!
The general consensus when hinting to others that I planned to take on this movie was for a decision not to be taken lightly, it’s an absolute beast of a film and one that consistently generated a twinkle in the eye before blurting out an often X-rated line from the film!
I took on this piece with the view of achieving the qualities of my ‘The Memory Remains’ piece where a street scene was completely littered with references with the backdrop displaying a mash up of iconic music albums from the era, to create something that you spend an absolute age seeking out all of the details, some blatant, some much more disguised.
Another quality was that there were so many great motors within the film, and I do love my cars! So, the question was which one would feature, being a football man and a Leeds United fan it had to be Vinnie Jones AKA Big Chris’s Rover, what a car and what a complete nutter!
This was a piece that had to be cool, gritty, naughty and a break from the whimsical and beautiful for sure. Without a doubt this was the film that I took the most notes from whilst re-watching, pages of quotes and random objects - I’m pretty sure that they all made it into the final cut, oh and yes I did dare to include it ;)
I hope you enjoy this piece as much as I do, it’s a deal, it’s a steal, it’s the sale of the... well you know the rest!
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MD Studios
1 Gransden Park, Potton Road, Abbotsley, Cambs, PE19 6TY United Kingdom
Tel: 07984 601370 Email: info@markdaviesbritishartist.co.uk
© 2022 Mark Davies British Artist.
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