Swans passing under the suspension footbridge: red, white and black. The sweep of the bridge echoes the swans' lines on the loose flow of the current: they're swimming upstream like monochrome meringues. The swans' silent movements and extraordinary grace almost enhance their strength and size: they are by far the largest animals afloat - with the exception of the rowing fours and eights. The near swan is watching me. Its beak drips. I painted this as a partner piece for 'Bread line' from June 28th. I laid down a vertical band of red and then overlaid it with alternately dark and light marks. I wanted to suggest the water's depths and the swans' otherness with variations of tone and brushstroke. The Basement Gallery space at the Bunyan Meeting will provide a good space for a September exhibition. |