.. to spend part of my Sunday afternoon at the home of artist Stephen Guyon-Bird who lives with his lovely wife Elaine. How welcoming they were, I could have stopped all day as to see Stephen's work was so fascinating . Also it was a trip down memory lane as I spent many hours playing here as a children and very little seems to have changed. They live at Coram Cottage in Ampleforth ,former home of Peter Walker who wrote the "Heartbeat "books.
It was Open Studios in North Yorkshire last weekend and this. Let me explain or in Stephens words which are better than mine [ his words are in green below ] My take on them in laymans terms would be some works verged on steam punk with an edge of Cezanne to them .
They are busy,so much detail. Turn Closing Time on its side and the drunk man under the table now now stands upright as the woman doing handstands on the table immediately turns into the one laid on the floor, it is so clever. The other favourite of mine is The Fall - a modern day Adam and Eve with a plate of apples as if the fowl coming in as if to be fed before in turn are dressed for the table.
I came away proudly clutching 5 postcards
SG Bird is a full time artist. Narrative allegorical paintings explore the realignment of archetypal imagery in an agnostic and fragmented world. Themes include the tragedy and comedy of village life, paradoxes in the heritage industry, the absurdities of the rural idyll. The work is underpinned by observational drawing as a challenge and alternative to lens based digital imagery and mechanical imitative naturalism. The wish is never to underestimate the interpretive powers of the audience. Life is dark but also funny.
I hope when you come to stay with us you will take time to visit Stephen and his amazing art work.
