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"In this cry of pain the inner consciousness of the people seems to lay itself bare for an instant and to reveal the mood of beings who feel their isolation in the face of a universe that wars on them, "Why do you wear a mask? Were you burned by acid or something?" - "Oh no. It's just they're terribly comfortable. I think everyone will be wearing them in the future.”, "Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.", “For many people God is just Dad with a mask on.”, “Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask - and he will tell you the truth.”, Like they do it in the factory, Parting is such sweet sorrow
Esme has long been an admirer of The Psychedelic Furs, and has recently become aware of a different kind of art created beyond music, by the lead singer of the ensemble, Richard Butler. I have been unable to find the names and dates of all of the following paintings, so should you know more than I, do tell.
The paintings are reminiscent of Francis Bacon to my eye; the blurred, stretched flesh, and the masks that manipulating oils in such a fashion produces, the connection to religion with the cut out ‘jig-saw’ pieces that reveal glimpses through the exaggerated confessional grate, and the manifestation of a violent undercurrent he similarly creates.
Masks are prominent in a more obvious sense in other pieces, giving the observer only part of the story of each face depicted. You can never see all, after all…
Most of all there is a deep river of sadness throughout it all to esme; far beyond melancholy, and it runs through each and every one all of the works.
I think they are dark, clever and quite superb.
See even more of his work here – Richard Butler
* (I’ve found this link since writing the above, and I’m pleased to have been correct re Bacon and the confessional)
diver, 2010
portraitwithlights, 2013
bubblewrap, 2010
zentaihead, 2010
loveasitmustwillreinventitself, 2010
theroadtolasvegasstudy, 2013
hypochondriacatthegramercyparkhotel, 2010
yourheroestoowillbeforgotten, 2013
maggieconfessional, 2013
whenisaidiloveyouilied, 2012
devilsbreath, 2012
noisymouth, 2013.
betweenthewars, 2012
whenisaidiwassorryilied, 2012
music-samheavenandthecometkings, 2012
The man himself.
Esme's Cloud 
Oooh these are mesmerising…
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They are a bit aren’t they? I love odd portraits.
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I found it interesting, what he says in the video you link to – from 4’50” to 5’15” – about the artist recognising certain truths about themselves in their works, and yet which perhaps aren’t apparent prior to, or within, the creative process undergone. There seems to be a parallel there in the recognised merit of writing down one’s deeper intuitions in a bid to understand exactly what they are, as if one needs somehow to externalise the sub-conscious so as to make it objectively apparent to consciousness.
I largely agree with you, Esme, insofar as the paintings are ‘clever’ (not sure about ‘dark’), in that they seem to acutely observe the human predicament – can we ever escape the dramaturgical performances we make in social situations, and which we intuitively understand are always in a sense removed from the thing Butler says he ultimately recognises in his works; that is, the essence, or haecceity, of oneself? It sounds as if he’s observing his daughter move through this process of performance.
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“(not sure about ‘dark’)” – Well…the black eyes, the suffocation, the bloody mouth, even the smearing of the flesh all had me finding said darkness in there. Since posting I read an interview where he’s asked if it’s all meant to be connected to domestic violence, and he says no, but I could see why she asked him. I love the way that with art, even that which the artists intends is often neither here nor there, for we will always impose our own messages and meaning from pieces. And that is just as it should be. nods
Having his daughter as the model in each work is really touching and adds an extra thread of continuity to it all, and I completely understand how he can use the same model again and again, yet often detach from it being her, using her as he might many different models, for I have done the same myself in the past in my own paintings. I’ll bet she’s chuffed to bits with her dear dad to be so closely involved in his creativity smiles.
Thank you for the depth of thought on the above Hariod, most appreciated.
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Tres Interessant.
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Murky buckets.
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And smoking a Gauloise too, no doubt?
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Chewing an onion actually, so close, but no baguette.
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So, not a pommes frite off the old block then?
Tres bon. Fume les cigarettes is not good for your health n’est ce pas?
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https://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2F33.media.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lljzf4ogR41qdlwx1o1_500.gif&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fs1.zetaboards.com%2FL_Anon%2Ftopic%2F4646186%2F769%2F&docid=ml97Es_dqW-G_M&tbnid=qaS_arsXUuT-PM%3A&w=500&h=273&bih=649&biw=1024&ved=0ahUKEwjr27jqwd_MAhWCKsAKHX6zAewQMwgbKAAwAA&iact=mrc&uact=8
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I took a shot at searching the unnamed Richard Butler works using TinEye and struck out so you will probably be waiting for the artist himself to chime in with titles.
I did come across some gallery shots that show some of these on display that lend some perspective on the magnitude of these canvases.
Thank you Esme for this exhibition-upon-the-cloud – what an enjoyable stroll…
I am struck by the uniformity of mood depicted across such a diverse abstraction of individuals.
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Oh yeah, the gallery shots I referred to: https://www.artsy.net/show/freight-plus-volume-richard-butler-naturalhistory
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Hello masodo, I’m glad you found some enjoyment within these pieces, the gallery shots are great, I missed them out for fear of a ginormous post tiring the patience of my readers laughs
Have a listen to this, I know you enjoy your music sir, it’s one of my favourites by them – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T87u5yuUVi8
Great lyrics methinks –
A man in my shoes runs a light
And all the papers lied tonight
But falling over you
Is the news of the day
Angels fall like rain
And love, love, love is all of Heaven away
Inside you the time moves and she don’t fade
The ghost in you, she don’t fade
Inside you the time moves and she don’t fade
A race is on I’m on your side
And hearing you my engines die
I’m in a mood for you
For running away
Stars come down in you
And love, love, love you can’t give it away
Inside you the time moves and she don’t fade
The ghost in you, she don’t fade
Inside you the time moves and she don’t fade
Don’t you go it makes no sense
When all your talking supermen
Just take away the time
And get in the way
Ain’t it just like rain
And love, love, love is only Heaven away
Inside you the time moves and she don’t fade
The ghost in you, she don’t fade
Inside you the time moves and she don’t fade
The ghost in you, she don’t fade
Inside you the time moves and she don’t fade
The ghost in you, she don’t fade
-esme singing away upon the Cloud
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I found most of them very sad.So many pieces and senses missing.
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Yes, I think they are sad for the most part. I like art that can make one feel a variety of emotions. Thank you for stopping by smiles
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As you stated to Hariod — the one who always takes (steals?) my eloquent remarks before I can first charm you Esme…
I couldn’t agree more Madame. I think your analogy applies to most all of the Natural world as well! But for Fine Art? Most definitely! Butler hence creates timeless portraits that speak to the viewer’s experience.
Though painting isn’t the one art which moves me most — music, literature-poetry, and Nature have my emotion — I do love most of the works of the Impressionists; Hahaha, no surprise, right? (wink)
Nonetheless, thank you for sharing Butler. I did not know about him.
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“the one who always takes (steals?) my eloquent remarks before I can first charm you Esme…” – Fear not prof, esme is uncharmable. Hahahahaha. You’re very welcome and I agree, the penumbra that encapsulates such personal meanings is a very large one indeed, and encompasses all than be found in the folder names ‘Art’, and a fair chunk of the one labelled with ‘Love’ too methinks. nods.
Have a slice of music by Richard and the band – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6VFJJ4toRg
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I do enjoy The Psychodelic Furs! A nice song choice Esme. Many thanks.
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Fabulous music! I’m glad you agree – smiles
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Hahaha! Let me go get my white platform boots so we can dance! (huge excited grin!)
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I take it you can do ‘The Black Bottom’?!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTR6xBeC2xA
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Pffffft! Of course! We do the Black Bottom soon after breakfast, into work, at lunch, and for good measure, right before sitting down for dinner & a “Between the Sheets” cocktail! Then we’re off to the nearby Speak-Easy. I can’t tell you where that is… cuz I’d have to kill ya after. (chuckling with naughty wink)
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What an interesting artist, thank you for sharing. The self portrait at the end, reflective of that same downward gaze in the works. I relate to a lot of what Richard has to say about process, self, critical self analysis that can lead to unnecessary anxiety and how bloody good paint feels to paint on things mainly the usual canvas (currently I am painting shoes). Also about how something, any creative process, is just a constant back and forth, feeling, until it feels done. Contemplation.
Will have to listen to his soundtrack later today.
He does shiny so well!
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Yes, I thought that too, it’s a cracking photograph. When creating, I find tis a strange state to be in. A trance of sorts for esme. I’m liking that you’re painting shoes, great stuff, and very pleased you enjoyed the paintings too. Have a listen to this one by his band, it has a swaying lullaby feel to it and also mentions the Cloud, which is nice – smiles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O56Zefq4Ac8
It’s raining in my head
But no tears come down
And I’m dreaming of you
Until sleep comes around
Sleep comes down, sleep comes down
Sleep comes down, sleep comes down
The orchestra’s playing
It’s so very loud
And I’m biting my nails
Until sleep comes around
Sleep comes down, sleep comes down
Sleep comes down, sleep comes down
The clouds are all running
But no tears come down
And I’m thinking of you
Until sleep comes around
Sleep comes down, sleep comes down
Sleep comes down, sleep comes down
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A trance indeed. A beautiful song, and or other songs that I did listen too. Love the video clips too, and the mish-mash of imagery.
Manu is a great nail biter, ill lend you him for an afternoon. Looking down at a couple of bleeding, nail edges
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They’re a brilliant band, I saw them many moons ago on two occasions, and would very much like to again.
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Wonderful, I used to enjoy bands but the constant loudness overwhelms me these days . Unfortunate to be so nana so young !
Cheers for taking manu off my hands for a while hah
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Always a pleasure, never a chore, unless he poos on me, then it would be a bit of a chore.
Being ‘nana’ is no bad thing for it will have you listening in other ways to others things you might not have done before. nods sage and onionly
esme friend to all birds and nanas upon the Cloud
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I find shit everywhere, it sucks.
Yes, I enjoy actually being one these days. Plotting along, being forgetful with no remorse. Birds and nana’s -what a hilarious combination!
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