I appreciate it, rather than like, to be honest. Reflection of my age perhaps. But it needed saying anyway, if we block our ears, cover our eyes, it will still happen. And hiding in the cupboard does not solve problems, regardless of ethical or political opinion. Words, greed, indifference, hate, like this float in the air, drift across borders, meet similar ideas, and join forces. They learn new languages. Unless we learn those languages with better, kinder words, caring hearts, those problems could win, and that cupboard couldn't hide us all.
Thank you as ever for your latest on Substack. That’s twice this week I have seen that Jorn paining of which I’m very fond. I had looked it up to check my own reactions earlier in the week when I saw some notices about an exhibition by children’s book illustrator I had not heard of, Oliver Jeffers, who is exhibiting some pictures in Belfast which are cartoon détournements, accessible and corny, without the paint crunch of Jorn. He doesn’t credit Jorn with the concept, maybe has not heard of him, maybe won’t confess the influence! I get the feeling the public enjoy his pictures which have had the fangs of the CoBra removed from them.
I appreciate it, rather than like, to be honest. Reflection of my age perhaps. But it needed saying anyway, if we block our ears, cover our eyes, it will still happen. And hiding in the cupboard does not solve problems, regardless of ethical or political opinion. Words, greed, indifference, hate, like this float in the air, drift across borders, meet similar ideas, and join forces. They learn new languages. Unless we learn those languages with better, kinder words, caring hearts, those problems could win, and that cupboard couldn't hide us all.
An artist friend writes:
Hi Dave
Thank you as ever for your latest on Substack. That’s twice this week I have seen that Jorn paining of which I’m very fond. I had looked it up to check my own reactions earlier in the week when I saw some notices about an exhibition by children’s book illustrator I had not heard of, Oliver Jeffers, who is exhibiting some pictures in Belfast which are cartoon détournements, accessible and corny, without the paint crunch of Jorn. He doesn’t credit Jorn with the concept, maybe has not heard of him, maybe won’t confess the influence! I get the feeling the public enjoy his pictures which have had the fangs of the CoBra removed from them.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgrlplrnxno
Great stuff. Been grappling with these ideas for years, so good historical context. I have a project that uses painting in such a manner.