Apples (1989), series of four paintings, oil on canvas
This group of paintings belongs together. Like many of my other artworks, this is a commentary on the destruction of nature. I was very aware of human’s destruction of the natural world well before there was a more general awareness of this issue. The idea of the earth’s devastation often occupies my mind. I have tried to express this more than once in my paintings.
The actual colours of these four paintings are much brighter than you see in these photographs. The technique that I used here is very realist as I wanted the subject to look very authentic.
I am very intuitive by nature. Often, I will be ahead of the time with my ideas. My cry to save this earth may be ignored but I will never stop trying to draw attention to this subject. Communicating not with words but through my art.
Speaking through art is much more subtle. It is difficult to be very direct and to the point because the perception of art is very subjective. Each viewer interprets what they see based on their own experiences. As a result, different people may interpret my message very differently. I know this because people have often told me what they thought my paintings symbolised. Frequently these interpretations were extremely different from the messages that I actually tried to bring across. I should add that, with regard to this “Apples” series, no one commented about the message. Of course, I should add that viewers are not obligated to read my own meaning and are free to view and give their own interpretation to what they see. This is one reason I have long hesitated to share the meaning of my work.
I only received an offer from a potential buyer for the fresh apple painting. I refused the offer, however, because without the fresh apple, the message had no point at all.
My mother, who is a tapestry weaver, really liked this painting. She made a beautiful tapestry based on it that is just the same size as the original. It is included here.