CAMOUFLAGED CONFECTIONARY — ELLIOT WINSPEAR

18-07-2023

CAMOUFLAGED

CONFECTIONARY

Now I’ve got a bit of a sweet tooth. Indulgence in sugary snacks is a copping mechanism which has served me well in the past. A Balanced diet and moderation are ideals that I struggle to align myself with.

Camouflaged confectionary isn’t an artistic expression which suggests that I have overcome my addiction to sugar. I merely wish to highlight a chase for balance that I feel is relatable. In doing so, exploring a wide range of bright and expansive colour compositions found in your local corner shop.

Mint Choc Chip

acrylic on canvas

20 x 25 cm

2023

Candy Cane

acrylic on canvas

20 x 25 cm

2023

Ukraine

acrylic on canvas

20 x 25 cm

2023

Cookie Dough

acrylic on canvas

20 x 25 cm

2023

It wasn’t long after completing this series of paintings that I met Daria Pyshna. Daria amongst other things is a photographer and at the time of writing is responsible for the brunt of the photography on my website. Ukrainian by nationality, Daria has moved to London as a result of the war in Ukraine.

We met whilst simultaneously taking photos along the Thames in Battersea. I explained to Daria that I was in desperate need of a photographer and I managed to get her interested enough to meet me for a coffee at a later date. After spending some time with Daria It dawned on me that I had inadvertently created two pieces of art which resembled the colours of the Ukrainian flag. Both paintings were inspired by the sweet ‘Refresher’. One of which centring an image of war.

Photography can be a rather annoying component to ‘being an artist’ when you don’t have a long list of contacts to help. Daria has not only come along and elevated the image of my work. Meeting her also marked a big shift in my mentality. The self inflicted struggle I was representing through art inspired by sweets, all of a sudden felt frivolous when weighed up against the prospect of war. I was already working pretty hard but I became that bit more determined to move further away from my indulgent past.