stephen fearnley

” Krishna and Radha “

Krishna and Radha, watercolour by Frank wesley 1982. collection of Stephen Fearnley

This watercolour was painted by Frank Wesley for my 21st birthday ( 1982)

It was an unlikely image for Frank as he is best known for his astonishing Christian interpretations.

This painting came about from long discussions with Frank about the origins of religious deities and the connection I saw between Pan and Krishna.

The drawing alone took 3 months to complete. Another 3 months to paint.

Frank Wesley was a prime influence on my creative and philosophical development.

He taught me drawing, watercolour and calligraphy over the 6 years I’d visit him, once a week , after school.

It was only after I left home that he told me, that as a young man he was commissioned to make the funereal earn for Ghandi’s ashes.

Advertisements

I adore this image.

Re-processed and collaged from old archival images this digital composite plays with notions of nostalgia.

The man in the cart is also like a harbinger of something either good or bad.

This was my first ‘winged-person picture ‘. Of course wings when sprouting from peoples’ backs translates as other-worldliness , good or bad, and this guy fits the bill – he is a premonition of death. The remnant rainforest trees in the background are what upsets me the most -and this guy in the cart, wearing his Sunday best, is all about the clearing of so much of our coastal ecosystems by a bygone era of hardworking farmers. The wings are actually flying ant wings. Flying ants appear when its about to rain.So the title Rainmaker is ironic because without our rainforest ecosystems the rain doesn’t come…