What's the purpose of art?

 

Re-work of Caput Mortuum (below)

It doesn't matter how many shows we get included into or how many prizes we win. Ultimately what most artists want to do in my experience is express themselves in the most honest way they can. I have entered many, many, more shows where I have failed to make a mark.  It's a constant battle to speak honestly through paint and I give up several times a week.  There is always a danger point in each painting when I start to think - oh, it looks like a such and such a thing there and why would I include that object or idea. There is often a good reason - after all objects and ideas are all personal to us as individuals. They are the focal points in our lives.  But then my head starts to go in a narrative and more "reasoned" direction and the painting usually starts to tighten up in,  what is for me, an almost unwelcome way. So then I have to allow myself to sink back into the subconscious side of things - turn the piece upside down, lose the "object" and re-affirm what I really feel is a spontaneous response to that board and that paint at that point in time.  In this painting the chair seems right. It feels right so it can live until the next time I attack this board, but the most interesting parts for me are the two elliptical shapes to its left and the kind of foetus "scan" shape at the top right.  But why?... weird, ain't it...