1. Portal Light; 2. Portal Slabs; 3. Crepuscular Wraiths; 4. West Kennet Long Barrow 1; 5. West Kennet Long Barrow 2
PORTAL LIGHT
oil on canvas | 16" x 20" | 2001 | £NFS
#GC43 (detail)
Looking out towards the external sarsens from within the deepest chamber. An irradiating glow around the candle draws focus from the entrance whilst the build up of layers of paint create the stone work and shadows within the chambers. There is a natural tranquility to this tomb which belies its constructed purpose and the enclosure behind its later portal stones. Such an enclosed space as West Kennet, where a shaft of light allows you to see that there is nothing to see without or within conversely engenders some secure sensations. Despite finding the odd condom laying in a puddle.
PORTAL SLABS
oil on canvas | 20" x 16" | 2002 | £150
#P17 A4
I originally intended this to be a simple study of the exterior of West Kennet in the rain, enhancing the hidden colours of the stones, and to some extent it still is. However, I found myself drawn more to striations of the stone itself than the elements and decided to capture more of the starkness of its purpose than its appearance.
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WEST KENNET LONG BARROW, WILTSHIRE
A magnificent chambered tomb constructed about 3600BCE. Probably in use for around 1000 years before being infilled and closed 500 years later. The long barrow is 325’ long and up to 8’ high, with a surrounding ditch 10’ deep and 20’ wide. 5 burial chambers lie within, sarsen lined, and the length of the passageway is around 35’. Excavations by Thurman in 1859 cleared nearly half of the infill and uncovered 1 chamber with several burials and beaker pottery within. Pigott and Atkinson resumed excavations in 1955 and cleared the passage to reveal the other 4 chambers and in total the bones from 46 individuals have been recorded along with pottery and flints.
OS: SU.104.677 A few minutes walk up a footpath, south of the A4 between Marlborough and Avebury.
CREPUSCULAR WRAITHS
oil on canvas | 20" x 16" | 2004 | £195
Had just taken some photos and was sitting sketching in the field when a farmer trundled accross in his tractor and in a complete contradiction of type said 'hello' as opposed to 'geroff my land'. Nice & life affirming. Wispy ether and Silbury in the distance here.
WEST KENNET LONG BARROW 1
ink & charcoal | 16" x 11" | 2000 | £80
#P33 A3 & A4
WEST
KENNET LONG BARROW 2
ink | 11" x 7" | 2002 | £45
#P34 A4