Sunday, March 29, 2009

Philip Brooker 1977-1980



I have lived in a lot of places in my life. I have also lived in a few countries, but the place that will always be home sweet home is in my scull. What's not to like, its warm safe portable and there are so many things to play with. In other words I like it there (most would not). Last week I did something I have been putting off for many many years, I photographed my old work from when I lived in England. This was a lot of work and very physical (the canvasses are very large and heavy)It wasn't so much the actual work (even though it took me 16 hours to shoot) but the actual thinking about who and where I was at the time. Most young people are in there young prime at 21, I should have been doing what 21 year old men (boy) do.I should have been out and about drinking up all there was to offer.I chose dear readers to stay in my studio and paint. I chose dear readers to spend a tremendous amount of time in my head (home) Im not complaining, but as I looked at the enormous amount of work I produced in that period, I wonder what's more important in life. It's not that I really had a choice, but it could have been very very different.
So the image above is what was running through my head at the time.These were very complicated paintings, they are also very large. I have kept the hundreds of canvasses in a huge roll and carried them around with me for so long (my babies that never grew up) So now its time to air off the bodies and get them out there. Im glad I photographed them, Im glad I gave them a new lease on life , I'm glad I live in my head....What were you doing when you were twenty one? Living I hope.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't think you had a choice...your compulsion to create is your life blood.

I carried around my notebooks...and the odd person I was (well...still am) would go out to a club...my myself and sit in a corner and write the scenes of seduction I would watch. That is what I did at 21...and then wait for the most clever man to dare to approach me. He had to be clever...and say something I had never heard before.

Wicked.

M

PHILIP BROOKER said...

at least you went out...smart

Anonymous said...

Watch out, M., clever men can be the most pervert and crual
Sexy brains

Anonymous said...

ah....tisk tisk...to Mr. A...this is Mr. Brooker's blog. Never mind about the arrogance of men. Clever or not...has no real place here...I merely made an observation about how I was able to feed my vices...and to create.

Philip...show more...we want to see the others from your self-imposed exile...I want to see the orgy of your work...show us the explosions...greedy one I am...appease me. Please

M

PHILIP BROOKER said...

i will post some more of the early work.....

Unknown said...

I think the purpose of a blog is to invite (incite!) discussion--not only with the creator--but with those who read the blog and post to it as well.

Talking about the arrogance of men has as much place here as the discussion about your wicked club experiences. Don't misunderstand--I appreciate all of your comments M--I just don't think it's your place in a blog to shut someone down. If Philip thinks the post is out of line, he can pull it.

PHILIP BROOKER said...

WOW!! Kim......

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much Kim
As a blogger too( in a very different field), what I love most is when people are responding to eachother trough my blog
A blog is so much more than a place to fish for compliments even if positive feedback is always welcome
Exchanging with people on the other side of the pond is a pleasure to me as well as discovering friends of friends
Sexy brains (aka Misses B)

PHILIP BROOKER said...

I feel love in the room (er! blog)