Pre-Raphaelites in the 21st century
by Roger Moffatt
(oil painter)
Due to the fact that my Pre-Raphaelite paintings take such an extraordinary long time to paint, I thought it would be a good idea to develop a style that was somewhat quicker.
I have a great affection for Modigliani, both from his personal life and paintings. As such, I've been developing a style based upon his, which is much more spontaneous.
My first attempts were to try and replicate the style so as to understand the brushwork, but I soon found myself adding much more detail and developing a style of my own.
Here's a few examples (excuse poor quality photos which reflect the light)
'Notdeddedred'
I have the idea that you actually die twice … once corporeally, then again when no one even remembers you … a term I call 'dead dead'.
My idea is thaty a portrait prevents the latter, so you can go on living even when you're 'not here' anynore. People will talk about the portrait and ask questions as to who it is.
As such, this is a portrait of my very much alive girlfriend (Red) in the style of Modigliani.
'John Lydon'
As is evident, I'm adding more detail here in my portrait of the great John Lydon, whilst retaining similar proportions to that of Modigliani. I made his neck especially long to give a sense of aloofness.
'John Cooper Clarke'
Poor quality photo due to the reflective nature of oil paint I'm afraid.
'Bowie'
As a homage, I painted this to show him as a person, not one of his alter-egos.
'American Bad'
In my interpretation of Grant Wood's 'American Gothic', the farmer and his wife (in real life, Wood's dentist and sister) are replaced by Walter White and his wife Skyler from Breaking Bad.
Walt has a Colt M4 assault rifle instead of a pitchfork, whilst Skyler still dresses in the same fabric as the original, albeit in a modern fashion. The brooch from the original is now a necklace with the cameo woman looking forlornly at Walt.
In the background a plant pot contains Lily of the Valley ...
'Iggy Pop'
Iggy Pop here in a sort of American preacher style
