Mezzogiorno
Italian name for the Deep South beyond Naples is not only the least visited part of Italy it is also home to many of best archaeological remains, Greek colonies in particular. Velia, set in an unspoiled landscape is perhaps the most enchanting of all, especially in Spring when it is covered with wild flowers. Seat of the Eleatic school of pre-Socratic philosophy it’s most famous practitioner was Xeno. It was the complete indifference of the bathing girl to the famous site on the hill above that provided a contemporary retort to philosophical niceties – hence the title ‘Xeno’s Daughter’.
Bellavista I
2003. Oil on canvas. 30 x 36 in (75 x 90 cm).
A modern roof-scape screens the Bella Vista Hotel in Otranto.
Bellavista II
2003. Oil on canvas. 30 x 36 in (75 x 90 cm).
The clutter of television aerials is usually edited out of landscape paiinting but I accept it as part of how we actually live today.
Reclining figure, Manfredonia
2004. Oil on canvas. 30 x 24 in (75 x 60 cm).
Scene from our hotel pool in Manfredonia, last stop on the Gargano before journeying to the far south.
Jenifer swimming I
2003. Oil on canvas. 24 x 20 in (60 x 50 cm).
A memory not just of a hotel swimming pool but of a painting by Michael Andrews.
Jenifer swimming II
2003. Oil on canvas. 24 x 20 in (60 x 50 cm).
Reflections on water surfaces disturbed by the swimmer.
Empty pool, ‘fine stagione’
2003. Oil on canvas. 36 x 30 in (90 x 75 cm).
Fine stagione’ – ‘end of season’ in English marks the sudden exit of Italian tourists at the end of the summer holidays. The hotel pool was seen in Vaasto.
Xeno’s Daughter, Velia
2006. Oil on canvas. 18 x 24 in (45 x 60 cm).
A bikinied sun-bather relaxes on the beach below the ruins of Velia. Once the greek city of Elea it was home to an important school of philosophy including Parmenides and Xeno. Her indifference to the classical heritage on the hill behind her struck me as a present-day paradox. Hence the title.
Charybdis. (Straits of Messina)
2007. Oil on canvas. 36 x 30 in ( 95 x 75 cm).
Charybdis, was the ancient name for the monster that created whirlpools off the headland north of present-day Messina. Today it is dominated by the colossal towers which carry electric cables across the straits from the mainland.
Scylla. Beach from the appartment
2007. Oil on canvas. 30 x 36 in ( 75 x 95 cm).
Today just a small fishing village which looks across the straits of Messina to Sicily, Scylla was once the home of the legendary sea-monster of Homer’s Odyssey
Home Page 