Synthetic polymer paint and newspaper collage on paper. From a series documenting friends who have died from HIV/AIDS related illnesses.
We’d sit on the same park bench every Sunday afternoon. “At least I’m a natural blond,” David, a model, would sniff about some passer-by, and JohnG and I would laugh. This was our last outing together. David didn’t leave our apartment. Confined to his bed for the next two years, slowly wasting away, alternating between diarrhoea and constipation depending on how much morphine he’d had. JohnG quit his job and cared for David. After David’s death, John G compiled David’s funny and moving comments and convinced a newspaper to publish them. After the publication JohnG became ill and died.
thanks all. Not to take away any from the miserable circumstances of their deaths, but they were good fun people and was why I painted our park bench – happy times.
Thank you for sharing your fond remembrance of your friends.
artleinover 4 years ago
I like the way the colours and shapes are an expression of happy times with your friends and this work is a wonderful way to refresh those memories as time passes.
thanks yeah I wanted to remember the happy times the most – realised as time passed that the moments I were recalling were the declines, and wanted to reclaim the happy again
– John Douglas
thanks yeah I wanted to remember the happy times the most – realised as time passed that the moments I were recalling were the declines, and wanted to reclaim the happy again
– John Douglas
JenniferBabout 4 years ago
that’s the great thing about art, it allows the artist to capture and immortalise any moment in time they want to, and you manage do it perfectly. Great tribute. Love the shapes and colours.
thanks jennifer, that is a lovely and thoughtful comment and much appreciated
Comments
sorry to hear that John, it’s nice to know their memory lives on through your art
I am very sorry to hear they are both gone. This is painting is priceless. Excellent work.
What a wonderful tribute to your friends. I bet they would have heartily approved. it’s a fabulous piece of ART!
thanks all. Not to take away any from the miserable circumstances of their deaths, but they were good fun people and was why I painted our park bench – happy times.
John, this is wonderful, beautiful, and touching.
Out of pain you have created joy and smiles.
Thank you for sharing your fond remembrance of your friends.
I like the way the colours and shapes are an expression of happy times with your friends and this work is a wonderful way to refresh those memories as time passes.
thanks yeah I wanted to remember the happy times the most – realised as time passed that the moments I were recalling were the declines, and wanted to reclaim the happy again
– John Douglas
thanks yeah I wanted to remember the happy times the most – realised as time passed that the moments I were recalling were the declines, and wanted to reclaim the happy again
– John Douglas
that’s the great thing about art, it allows the artist to capture and immortalise any moment in time they want to, and you manage do it perfectly. Great tribute. Love the shapes and colours.
thanks jennifer, that is a lovely and thoughtful comment and much appreciated
– John Douglas
Very moving piece John. I’m so glad it made it to the home page, it’s a beautiful tribute x
Thanks on all counts Dar
– John Douglas
Regardless of the context but not withstanding, this is a stand out painting- perfect balance.
thanks very much, that is lovely to read :)
– John Douglas
Simple and effective.
Thanks Bruce
– John Douglas