The Twitchell of Mutants
So I have decided to have a blast from the past in this old painting that I created quite a few years ago. Sadly after I had created this painting my ex partner kept constantly criticising the painting, stating that it was far too weird & how she didn’t like how strange the beings were. I then decided to paint over the strange beings but thankfully took a photograph of the painting at that stage.
So I used to walk through this alley regularly in a dull & gloomy town where I had the misfortune of living for many years. The town of Ilkeston in Derbyshire, England was a very culturally bleak place that lacked in any aesthetic beauty, apart from a small park hidden away at the back of the town.
The dystopian industrial scenes were plentiful so I would often use my imagination to illuminate this place with weird and wonderful oddities and abnormalities that connected with the post apocalyptic dystopia to envision a miniature heterotopian/utopian land of surreal beings that intertwined with technologies of the past. These beings were also mutant abnormalities that combine with technology and symbolise psychological dysfunctional neurology.
I think if this artwork was a projection of my own existence at the time it would convey my sensitivities to the constant changes in society with new technologies, changes in the behaviours of the people around me and their descent into moral decline with how many seem to just accept an ugly urban industrial landscape of ugly primitive works of graffiti that often to me portray a dystopian realm of gloom and depression.
This artwork captures a vision of a future heterotopia, where life persists and evolves amidst the ruins of human civilization. It speaks to the resilience of nature and the adaptability of life forms in the face of apocalyptic destruction. The piece also explores the distortion of sexuality and identity through genetic interference and abnormal science experiments, presenting a complex and layered narrative of rebirth and mutation.
The figure on the left side of the painting with a television head is high and intoxicated by technology and has become intertwined, infused and reanimated by it. The smile is also to convey the selfie culture where everyone seems to smile, a mask of a tormented being that seems to pretend to be happy in the dysfunctions of the polluted and corrupted post apocalyptic world.
The female fishing being in the centre portrays someone with a split fragmented personality & the manipulator in this new age and existence of mayhem and lunacy. She is a person who was a big part of my life at the time, someone who I never really knew and who would always change in personality causing me much anxiety. The coercive control I endured for so many years would often crush my confidence and creative potential.
The strange male on the wall at the side of the painting is itself conveying a disregard for hygiene and demonstrates an immorality of new post modernity and the psychological behaviours of those aloof towards common decency. The being portraying male nudity deliberately itself challenges conceptions of what is ok to create in regards to artistic expression and the repression of the creative imagination.
The structures in the background, marked with graffiti like "OBEY" and "TOXIC ELITE," highlight the remnants of a past society dominated by control and elitism. These ruins serve as a backdrop to the new life forms emerging from the rubble, emphasizing the cyclical nature of destruction and rebirth.
Dandelions and webs, flourishing amidst the decay, symbolise nature's resilience and the slow process of regeneration. These elements underscore the heterotopian aspect of the artwork, where life continues to adapt and grow despite the destruction.
The spiraling tower and the unnatural green light from the sky suggest a world where the laws of nature have been altered. This eerie glow enhances the surreal and mystical atmosphere, indicating the presence of unknown, perhaps radioactive, energies.
This piece offers a rich and multifaceted visual experience, making it a valuable addition to any collection. Its raw, visionary style appeals to collectors of outsider art who appreciate works that challenge and provoke deep reflection. The intricate symbolism and dynamic composition ensure that this artwork will be a focal point, sparking conversations about the nature of survival, adaptation, and rebirth in a post-apocalyptic world.
Ideal for those who value the depth and complexity of esoteric and visionary art, this piece stands out for its intense emotional impact and ability to evoke thought and discussion on contemporary issues.