Tally Ho! 2012 | £2500

Tally Ho! is my latest work to mix funfare with conflict. Fighter planes from the Battle of Britain circle a radar topped octopus whilst onlookers relax in a couple of deck chairs and a Focke Wulf attempts to dive-bomb a Union Jack beach towel.

If I think about why I like this pairing - funfair / warfare - I think it's because of the sense of isolation and self containment that's becoming more apparent as this series of works continues (see Sandstorm and Thunderbay). Isolation both in the individual character of the conflict, in the iconic visual references and of the fairground ride itself practically. A fairground - especially the travelling kind - is actually made up of very individual self contained attractions, spinning away in proximity with but independently of one another.

I like this metaphor of the conflict within the ride... spinning away until it eventually wears out or is replaced by a newer attraction.  Tally Ho! is quite timely in this sense as the Battle of Britain begins to fade from living memory spinning off into the realms of the historical. With each new generation it becomes less important to our sense of identity as memory becomes blurred, stereotypes distorted, wounds heeled and contemporary issues having taken its place. But that's not to say that one shouldn't remember, or learn or honour or mourn but rather the realisation of the inevitability of all things ultimately fading. In all the works I like this ambivalent sense that whilst the fair has moved on leaving a lone ride spinning away, until everyone gets bored or something breaks, it is for now very much alive and in use. And I hope that this more subtle contradiction of something being very much alive and fading echos the contradiction between the sense of fun and sadness of the subject.


Tally Ho! 2012
Acrylic and mixed media on 280 gsm somerset paper
73 cm x 107 cm
£2500 (framed / VAT inc.)

The Little people are out and about and will be appearing in some unusual places over the next few months. Beefeater is standing guard in Brick Lane... anyone for a Beef Vindaloo?

My latest work is a weather worn fairground ride, "Thunder Bay", that's seen some action (as the bullet holes suggest). Berets and mustaches carry a £1 deposit and the DJ's probably playing Club Tropicana.

I tried to give the work a sense of yesterday, slightly out of time and a little worn down. There's also that sense of the ride having been left somewhere, maybe it was abandoned the last time the fair came to town, a forgotten ride, in an indeterminate place but one that's still very much in use.

The picture contains really iconic images of the Falklands conflict, and the splash of colour on the tail fin of the Harrier Jump Jet balances the middle of the picture where the pilot is checking his radio in time with the DJ.

Thunder Bay will be part of my upcoming solo exhibition, on show at the Nancy Victor Gallery, London between 9 - 27 August 2012. 

> Find out more about the show and RSVP for private view tickets.

On 21-22 July 2012, I'll be back at Whitecross Street. This time I'll be doing live print demonstrations throughout the weekend as part of the free, annual Whitecross Street Party. Pop in to the Interchange Gallery next weekend where I'll be printing "Little Tank" in the gallery (draft image left) and talking about the work and how it's created. The event will be really interactive as I'm hoping to give everyone the opportunity to take home an affordable print as well as learning a bit more about the printing process.

Eyes Left! is my latest painting, inspired by a fantastic day I had with the Honourable Artillery Company last month. I've had the pleasure of getting to know the HAC recently - they are the oldest regiment in the British Army, based at Armoury House in the City of London.

I was fortunate enough to join the HAC for their gun salute preparations which formed part of the Queen's Birthday celebrations at the Tower of London. One of the most exciting aspects of the day was being able to travel over to the Tower with the regiment to see the salute, and it was being part of this convey that gave me the idea for Eyes Left!

As a member of the public usually only treated to the pomp and ceremony, it was great to be behind the scenes. There was a real sense of dynamic practicality and speed that reminded me of the closeness between this ceremonial action and the reality of moving and firing artillery in combat. 

Eyes Left! is based on the command car as it exits the HAC building and begins its journey to the Tower as head of the convoy...with a little artistic license and minus Steven Fry in the back! In reality the driver never took his eyes off the road for an instant I promise. 

One aspect of the painting which I'm really pleased with is the addition of the entry barrier. I think it gives a sense of moment to the work, the point at which proceedings begin and when the HAC present themselves to the public. Once through the barrier the convoy spills straight onto City Road and heads through the City, police outriders speeding ahead as it makes its way to the Tower of London. I think the barrier helps to describe the HAC - a practical aspect of their identity.

Eyes Left! is the first in a series of works based upon my visits to the HAC. 

Eyes Left! is currently on show at The Henley Festival between 04-08 July 2012 priced at £1100 (inclusive of VAT and framing). For sales enquiries contact markhaywardart@hotmail.co.uk

Teddy Boy 2012

Find out more about the latest additions to the 'Little People 2012' collection on the Eyestorm blog. Angie Davey get's to grips with the little fella's and talks about what they mean to her. Pride and a sense of Britishness mix with a confrontational individual identity to make a group of works that feel very relevant today whilst having a strong sense of the past. Works are available to buy online at Eyestorm.

Congratulations to David Fitch winner of Little Train. The draw as made up of all those who RSVP'd to the Interchange Gallery show and anyone who signed up whilst visiting the show on Whitecross Street. David was up against some people with some very long surnames so well done! Bad luck everyone else but there'll be another chance to win in August by attending my next show off Tottenham Court Road. Sign up to my mailing list to receive details nearer the time.

Thank you to everyone who came to the private view last night. The Interchange was filled up by 7pm and didn't stop until gone midnight with people dropping by to see the show. I had a great time and - looking forward to more of the same over the next week. The show will be open daily from now until next Thursday (closed Sunday) - drop in to see my new work and to enter a competition to win one of the prints from the new giclee range. 
 > View more pictures from the show

Telegraph pole - is there a more familiar image? Not anymore...

Don't forget - only 4 days left to RSVP and view Telegraph Pole before it disappears on the art information super highway!