He Times of India Poster

Great comment Steve... I was well aware, perhaps over aware if that is possible, of becoming desensitised to the horrors... A few visits would do that... I think that a little Knowledge is often all you need when it is all so obvious. Not sure how the richness is being measured either. But... having said all that it is certainly a place that I think everyone should experience first hand.

I know India well. All the horrors and injustice you cite and worse exist and should be challenged. However, I find your comments too sweeping and cynical. You make it sound like the patient is not worth saving. It is the world's richest and most diverse nation…the most awe inspiring pain in the ass I have ever experienced. It did take me a few visits to see past the horrors and to realize that a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.

You too PJ :)

Should have opened a discussion on this with hindsight :)

continued.. palette knife, dozen tubes of paint and cover a canvas with feeling. I find it very cathartic. I assumed the homonym name 'Tongue in Cheek' to be a reference to the hidden meaning behind your art...

continued.. You paint it because the morality behind it pisses you off . I have a studio full of images relating to events that have really annoyed me or I see as unjust or unfair.... Everybody who gets annoyed or angry should grab a brush or palette knife, dozen tubes of paint and cover a canvas with feeling. I find it very cathartic. I assumed the homonym name 'Tongue in Cheek' to be a reference to the hidden meaning behind your art...

continued.. But two wrongs do not make a right nor do wrongs diminish by number. My art has made you think and interact, served its purpose... Your own art, Blood Moon does the same. Drink drivers are everywhere so why paint the consequences?... You paint it because the morality behind it pisses you off . I have a studio full of images relating to events that have really annoyed me or I see as unjust or unfair.... Everybody who gets annoyed or angry should grab a brush or palette knife, dozen tubes of paint and cover a canvas with feeling. I find it very cathartic. I assumed the homonym name 'Tongue in Cheek' to be a reference to the hidden meaning behind your art...

Is there a word limit in this reply box?

Thank you PJ for your thoughtful comment... You deserve a serious reply which I hope does not come across as a rant :) I totally agree with you.. Degrees of abuse are everywhere... catholic priests, childrens homes here in Australia, politicians, etc... I have other works about child abuse by the church and horrors wrought in the name of religion... Anything that I feel is unjust or really annoying I create art about. I find it cathartic. If it really pisses me off then get a load of paint and put it on canvas. Something I recommend for everybody to try. But ..back to your comment... .two wrongs never make a right... or diminish each other by number.... The abuse of women in India is culturally endemic, abhorrent and needs addressing at every level by all means possible including the use of art. Your own art, use of skeletons, mosaics... is dark, brooding, full of feeling and you obviously believe that Art should say something because of your first drunk driving statement image (Blood Moon, which I quite like incidentally)... It should be a poster on the free ways of America. But why choose a homonym name ?... Tongue in Cheek... do you not want to be seen to take art seriously... :) ...or more likely the messages in your art are tongue in cheek.... I think art can be very serious indeed... In Europe it is getting cartoonists murdered.

Every article on that piece was taken from the Times of India over about a one week period whilst I was there... Highlights the attitude to and scale of female abuse in so called civilised nuclear powered India.

Thank you Val... I was beginning to think that nobody on here liked art with a real message... thank you for appreciating it

Wow... so wonderfully thought provoking!

A beautiful monument to love is marred ... and yes i agree it has suddenly become topical yet again