The Theatre of Life Morocco Oil on linen canvas, 163 x 97 cm
A community of hopeful workers, sellers and entertainers are on the move, a daily unravelling of life through routine journeys that one by one weave the tapestry of life, a life in the heart of the old medina. This painting tells a tale of life in this part of the world, on this stage, the world famous square, Jamaa Al Fna. I spent many hours watching the transit of people across this iconic square from the roof top of my Riad pension in Marrakech in order to create this extraordinary vista.
The Theatre of Life, Flowers for Kolkata
expresses the mesmerizing beauty of an historic marketplace. People are busy with their daily routines that quietly weave the fabric of life, the life of a community in this unique place. I wanted to evoke the sense of a beautifully orchestrated performance, where life unfolds before us in a vibrant market for ceremonial flowers. Where every glance, interaction and routine reveal the rich human drama at the heart of this place.
Oil on Linen Canvas 150 × 150 cm
Siblings Bewildered by the Night Colours of Cairo
Oil on Linen canvas 58 x 68 cm
Street vendors, food sellers and 24 hour shops infuse the night air with geometric shapes of colour that hold the gaze of brother and sister as they look on with wonder.
The Theatre of Life Cairo
Oil on linen canvas 100 x 100 cm
The people of Egypt and their daily journeys across a stage in Cairo define this place, give it character and tell its story. A story of struggle, strength, faith and perseverance that hold their community together. I feel very fond of these people. There are players in this scene that I have observed many times and indeed painted them before or created artistic photographs of them, such as the young girl who forlornly attempts to sell balloons, the understandably bad tempered road sweeper in green and the beautiful, tall figure of the old tea seller that must have crossed this square a thousand times. The characters of a play from Egypt on stage in Cairo.
The Old Fruit Seller of Fez Morocco
Oil on linen canvas 146 x 97 cm
Set in the heart of the old Medina, within the labyrinth of alleyways works the old fruit seller, his beautiful fruit lit by the defused light of the day that struggles to penetrate this deep, hidden corner.
People await his attention, he weighs his fruit with care and others buy. Such fruit sellers and such transactions have taken place throughout history, this painting is a tribute to that. In the West this moment has become sanitized by the speed, convenience and uniformity of the modern world where the charm and quiet dignity of the old fruit seller is lost but in Fez and in many parts of the world, it is still very much alive.
The Theatre of Life Kolkata One
Oil on Linen on canvas 150 x 150 cm
The cast of this play is an Indian community taking their entrances and exits on a stage in Kolkata. This is an imaginary space, a stage that I felt had to be pink. I was struck by the beauty of the colours and the dignity in these people despite all the challenges that they face in a very materialistic world that looks up to the rich and down at the poor. But I see beauty, depth, history, humanity, resilience and a very strong sense of community in these people from the old part of Kolkata.
The Theatre of Life Kolkata Two
Oil on Linen on canvas 150 x 150 cm
The cast of this play is an Indian community taking their entrances and exits on a stage in Kolkata. This is an imaginary space, a stage that I felt had to be pink. I was struck by the beauty of the colours and the dignity in these people despite all the challenges that they face in a very materialistic world that looks up to the rich and down at the poor. But I see beauty, depth, history, humanity, resilience and a very strong sense of community in these people from the old part of Kolkata.
The Spice Sellers Scented Street Marrakech
Oil on linen canvas 89x145cm
I love these street scenes of Morocco, the air filled with the scent of spices, the colours create a magical atmosphere that permeates the scene with beautiful harmonies. Along the street vendors are everywhere waiting to offer their thousand different spices to tantalize the senses. This amazing sight, quite intoxicating is a joy to behold and paint.
Cairo, The theatre of Life, a Symphony in Blue
80× 100 cm
This watercolour tells the tale of how the tapestry of life is weaved each day in Cairo through the daily journeys of its people, with the aid of horses, donkeys, carts, trollies, bicycles, vespas and some good footwear.
The colours of the ground, with a certain artistic license, are designed to take the viewer through the painting, stopping on the way to reflect on each individual’s part in this great play. Each day, the curtains rises for a new performance of this frenetic and tough drama, the theatre of life on the streets of Cairo.
Portrait of a Rickshaw Puller
146 × 100 cm
Kolkata is the only place in India where they still have this form of Rickshaw as it is seen to be degrading to the Richshaw man. Indeed it is a very hard life and you can see that in this man's face, where desperataion and dignity sit uneasily with each other.
