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Hideaway
Jeni Snell
Hideaway
Oil, acrylic and household paint on canvas. 100 x 100 cm
"This four-storey concrete coastal observation tower was a built upon, and disguised as, a Martello tower from the Napoleonic Wars. This strengthening adaptation of existing forts, and approach to camouflage, is typical of the German fortification of the Channel Islands during 1940-45. I passed this huge imposing structure twice a day on the school bus.
My use of ceramic ornaments has been inspired by my childhood intrigue of my Nana’s ‘displayed’ collectables. My placing of ceramics in juxtaposition with redundant architecture of war (from my childhood playground) further undermines it’s intended wartime purpose, and metaphorically oppression in general. I am interested in the similarities; man-made artificiality: material-mixed, poured and cast fabrication as well as their contrasts; fragility vs strength, tiny vs colossal, smooth vs coarse, shiny vs dull, colourful vs colourless, ornamentation – to collect and display (keep) vs defence – to be hidden and kill (take away)".
Year
2017
Classification
Unique
Medium
Painting
Signature
Hand-signed by artist
Certificate of authenticity
Included