I have recently been studying the works and life of Francis Bacon. At first i found his work disturbing, but it seems the more i read about him and study his pieces, the more i feel there is something i had previously missed. I have posted a couple of links to some BACON sites that i have found interesting.
I was surprised by Reece Mews, where he lived and worked for 30 years, baring in mind he was the most expensive living artist at the time. It is simple and frugal. His work area tight, full to the brim with resources and materials, just a small space for him to stand and work, but from where he produced his most well-known works.
I wonder if it was infact his shock appeal that helped to bring him into the limelight sooner. His work is quite violent, some works resemble slabs of butchered meat! But surrounding this madness is bland, almost empty rooms or glass cages, in calmer colouring...this i suspect helps to control the gag effect!
Stencil graffiti art - cool - with it's roots back in Paris in the 80's. Blek le Rat, born in '52, seems to be the pioneer of this form of graffiti with his collective known as Blek, later solo. It appears that both Blek le Rat and Banksy, born in '74, inspire each other, Banksy has been recorded as saying 'every time i produce something cool, i find it has been done by Blek, only 20 years before'. The two artists are said to be in email contact with each other. I like their work, I am sure parts of it will find its way into my work, reading about them has been inspiring to me.
