Collarge, acrylics & other mixed media. Part of a 3 piece series.

Chasing dragons in dull lit opium dens sipping on absinthe was how I imagined this manic of the canvas. Yet it couldn't be further from the truth. "I don't do drugs, I am drugs"; and so it turns out, Dali never did drugs as his famous quote alluded to. Dali painted his dreams and was known to sleep with a rock in one hand. When he was woken by the sound of the rock dropping on the floor, he would paint what he remembered. He also induced himself to hallucinate in order to access his subconscious while making art, a process he called the paranoiac critical method. I know! Brilliant right, natural born tripper...."my man".

His works scream for themselves, demand your attention and in my eyes are unparalleled in surrealist brilliance.

A true master in every sense of the word who continues to inspire million. Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech. Captain of the weirdos.

Collarge, acrylics & other mixed media.

Part of a 3 piece series.

Collarge, acrylics & other mixed media. Part of a 3 piece series.

An ode to Jean Michel Basquiat.

When I reflect on the progression of my art, it's obvious to me that Jean Michel has been a big influence in the use of written word and of course, social commentary. But it was his challenges with social anxiety that I related to most. When I'd listen to Basquait in the very few interviews he did, I could almost feel his awkwardness and totally relate to that feeling of being uncomfortable in your own skin. Ah yes, another fellow weirdo. But on a serious note, unfortunately like many of us who suffer, Jean Michel turned to drugs to deal with his feelings of insecurity and perceived judgement from others. Sadly the more fame that high-beamed his world, so too did his drug use and tragically that magical human overdosed at the age of 27. "It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think your not" (JMB).

Fun fact. Jean Michels first recorded art sale was to Debbie Harry of Blondie for the grand total of $200. Fast forward a few decades to the most recent sale of his work that went under the hammer for $117,000,000 a few years back. Yes....you read that right!!

"I'm not a real person. I'm a legend" (JMB). Dam fuckin straight boy. Were then, are now and will forever be. My tribute to your wonder; with love.

Collarge, acrylics & other mixed media. Part of a 3 piece series.

What a fucking creative genius. I mean what didn't the guy do in terms of Art?

I first saw some of Andy's silk screen work as a young kid. One of my older sisters had a school assignment for Studio Art and must have chosen Warhol as their subject. She had on loan from the library an A3 laminated print of "Marilyn Diptych", Warhols 1962 piece containing 50 repetitive images of the iconic glamour. I was instantly mesmerised by it but couldn't quite work out why? It's simplicity maybe, it was even a little eerie to me. I acquired (stole) that print taking it out on permanent loan, and dressed the back my bedroom door with it where it remained for years to come.

It wasn't until the first year in high school that got my first insight to who the artist behind this print was. A beautifully eccentric weirdo whose impression on me felt instantaneous. As a young wierdo myself, the factory was the place I reckon I would have felt quite at home.

To me Andys art needs to be viewed in person at least once in life to really appreciate its impact, its boldness and the sheer brilliance of making the simple so utterly mesmerising.

Collage, acrylics, and other mixed media:

“I’ve been listening to a lot of music from the 80’s and 90’s lately, most notably Inxs. This latest painting draws its inspiration and influence from their 1984 released song “Dancing on the Jetty”.

The opening lyrics begin with “Watch the world argue, argue with itself”. The message conveyed seems to be one of detachment amongst conflict, standing back and observing the fights the world has “with itself.” Then the question arises, “Who’s going to teach me peace and happiness?” With this poignant inquiry, Michael asks how can one be expected to a pursue healthy, positive life while being constantly bombarded with examples of strife? For me it really highlights our current climate fighting over a virus while we’ve seemed to have forgotten our host. We won’t have anything to fight over if we turn a blind eye to our mother earth dying before our very eyes.

Watch the world argue, Argue with itself, Who's going to teach me, Peace and happiness

Written by: Andrew Farriss / Michael Hutchence

1984 of their album “The Swing”

Collage, acrylics, and other mixed media

This piece portrays the happy summers poolside scene, yet beneath it all the darker side of drug abuse. I used to dance around high as a kite and drunk as a skunk with out a care in the world. Until it all comes crashing down anyway! Hahaha. The song "Happy Idiot" takes me back to those days.

Happy Idiot. Lyrics by - TV on The Radio

What you don't know won't hurt you, yeah

Ignorance is bliss

I'm a happy idiot

Waving at cars

I'm gonna bang my head to the wall

'Til I feel like nothing at all

I'm a happy idiot.

Collage, acrylics, and other mixed media

FLYING FUCK - "So I had moments last week of feeling really sad. Its not the lockdown's getting to me, funnily enough Im ok with that; Its more the current state of our once "free" feeling nation, the greater world around us and its dominant species. I feel so heart broken for my children, your children and especially the brave new souls born into this world of late.

Personally I find it really hard not to be ashamed of humanity in this moment in time. I realise Im very sensitive, but also realise I just don't fit into "the system", I never have, and finally I've made peace with that. I'm ok. I don't have to.

I guess I just wish the earths population by large could maybe practice being better humans....

And then my partner rang me while I was out just to see if I was ok as I seemed off. She reminded me to hold belief that everything will be ok. To remember our dreams, be thankful for our own beautiful world and in a sense, maybe give less of a "flying fuck" about things.

Love the lovers. Always x

FLYING FUCK - (feat "Dont Stop" lyrics by Fleetwood Mack)

Collage, acrylics, and other mixed media

Does not segregate

Does not discriminate

Does not require a medical procedure

Found within all humans

Can't be bought

Can't be sold

Can't be forced

Cant be coerced

Highly infectious

Highly addictive

We are all cut from the same fabric. Find your people. Love the ones that love you back. Get high on it.