Dead Friends 2
Synthetic polymer paint and newspaper collage on paper. From a series documenting friends who have died from HIV/AIDS related illnesses.
Eric was diagnosed with an aggressive and termimal brain tumour, a cancer associated with AIDS. Cytomegolavirus was also eating one of Eric’s eyeballs, and he had to wear an eyepatch. Eric used to be in the merchant navy, with his eyepatch and rollicking gait from years of being at sea we used to call him The Pirate, which he loved.
The doctor gave Eric 3 months to live because of the tumour, and we’d have a coffee and laugh at the absurdity of life.
On the very day when 3 months were up Eric stepped out on to the road, and unable to see properly due to his eyepatch was struck down by a car.
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pinkyjain
Brilliant painting, Eric seemed to have a great sense of humor even with all the afflictions.
John Douglas replied
Eric was dear! We had a good time while he was around, and many happy memories.
Steven Guy
Thank you for telling us about Eric. I would have loved to have had a cuppa with him. The next cuppa I have I will think about him.
John Douglas replied
ah that’s nice, I am sure he’d be smiling about that
Steven Guy
I even had an extra sugar !
John Douglas replied
ah you’re a sweetheart steven, sugar all round!
Shylie Edwards
love this series of your friends….sad sorry…brave people…glad that Eric has great friends
John Douglas replied
Thanks Shylie, was glad I was able to do a series of all my closest friend who died of HIV, and be able to portray some of the more lighter moments, was a way of reclaiming their memory, too often once they’d died my storngest memory would be sad. Eric had alot of friends, and was funny and humane right to the end.
shayne2011
What a tragic story, poor Eric. This bloody virus has taken too many good men.
John Douglas replied
Far too many, to this day I haven’t wanted to try and count how many friends gone.
Paul Compton
A truly sad story. This picture radiates. The heart and the tenderness in this is incredibly moving to me. I don’t really know how to say what I’m feeling so I’ll just say thank you John. Thank you for sharing this. You’re an inspiration and an absolute treasure. xo
John Douglas replied
Thanks Paul, understand and understood. x
Joni Philbin
Nice painting, John. I am sorry for the loss of your friends.
I lived in NYC in 1983 – 1985. I lost 25 friends in two years. The one guy who is still alive and well, went to Mexico the minute he was diagnosed. He got a blood transfusion where they infused his blood with something – it was illegal in the U.S. – but he survived where all the others passed very quickly. That was the same time Keith Haring died of AIDS. (your work sometimes reminds me of his). There were stamps painted on all the sidewalks all over the city that were purple and said “Silence = Death”. I didn’t even figure out what it meant till my friends were all gone.
Each one, young, vibrant, talented men and one woman. The list is long. It was in the beginning when people didn’t know if you should hug and kiss or not and I chose to hug extra long, extra hard, every time and it is something I am very proud of to this day. They needed those hugs.
We all did.
John Douglas replied
Yes too many Joni, was time if I didn’t se someone for a while no-one wanted to ask as we’d all guess what the answer would be. When we’d see a Louise Hay book in the garbage or on the street we’d laugh to each other, anothe rone gone. Ways of coping…am glad you hugged. You’re a dear. x
Joni Philbin
ahahaha, Louise Hay! that’s hilarious…....... she’s been at my bedside for 25 years!
John Douglas replied
you hold on to her – or just take a deeeeeep breath…and….let gooooo…
xxx
Beatriz R. Ald...
Thank you for sharing John. Wonderful art work.
John Douglas replied
thanks as always bea, you’re very kind
Beth Mills
So so sad…such a terrible waste of souls!! :-( I’m sure Eric has this pic stuck up in his locker in his new world!!!
John Douglas replied
I’m sure he’s made into some porno version knowing him! :)
Silvia Manuela
Marvellous story with syncronized image, full of feeling and also powerful.
John Douglas replied
thanks very much silvia
Lynne Mettam
Lovely tribute to your friend in colour and thought. A very sad story but he lives on in your work.
John Douglas replied
Thanks very much Lynne. I do hope so. He was a fun person, think he’d laugh at my painting.
H M Bascom
On the very day when 3 months were up Eric stepped out on to the road, and unable to see properly due to his eyepatch was struck down by a car.
The irony of life and death. Sometimes all one can do is wag the head and wonder . . .
Great work John.
John Douglas replied
Thanks helen. weird how life goes.
Rosina Lamberti
wonderful art