4 panel black Revere 300gsm paper - 152 x 220 x 100 cm
Beacon light, graphite, aluminium powder, phthalo blue pigment and ground conte.
As a regular visitor of the Museum of The History of Science, in Oxford, one can be inspired by a plethora of items to view and research. I have been, however always most fascinated by the incredible Moon pastel drawing by John Russell hanging in the magnificent stairwell. At each visit to the Museum I stand and stare at it, in awe of; its beauty, its condition, its age, the enormity of the paper, the colours of the handmade pastels and ponder the optical technology available in the 1700’s with the Hollond Telescope thus enabling John Russell to transpose his viewings into this epic drawing. ‘emergency on earth’ is a drawn reproduction and interpretation of this beautiful 1793-95 John Russell 5 foot square pastel drawing of the moon (grid lines which remain in the work).
This contemporary drawing however is a different medium, instead of pastel it is graphite on black paper, which sheens when light is directed to it with a little aluminium powder, phthalo blue pigment and chalk to hint at some of the colourings in John Russell’s beautiful original drawing.
At the time of the original drawing the industrial revolution was just commencing. Now a mere 224 years later, and an acceleration of industry and technology never seen before, human output of pollutants and greenhouse gas has grown from 22 million parts of carbon in 1796 to over 35.84 Billion (in 2013).
An emergency warning rotating beacon is in front the drawing – as if earth’s emergency is now reflected on the moon.
We must treat the planets in our midst respectfully, and everything on them, we have such troubling times with mankind’s effect. ‘emergency on earth...’ is an ode to those scientists and artists past, present and future.
4 panel black Revere 300gsm paper - 152 x 220 x 100 cm
Beacon light, graphite, aluminium powder, phthalo blue pigment and ground conte
4 panel black Revere 300gsm paper - 152 x 220 x 100 cm
Beacon light, graphite, aluminium powder, phthalo blue pigment and ground conte
Original John Russell pastel Moon, 1793-1795 courtesy Museum of The History of Science, Oxford and my drawing: 4 panel black Revere 300gsm paper - 152 x 220 x 100 cm
Beacon light, graphite, aluminium powder, phthalo blue pigment and ground conte
4 panel black Revere 300gsm paper - 152 x 220 x 100 cm
Beacon light, graphite, aluminium powder, phthalo blue pigment and ground conte
4 panel black Revere 300gsm paper - 152 x 220 x 100 cm
Beacon light, graphite, aluminium powder, phthalo blue pigment and ground conte
4 panel black Revere 300gsm paper - 152 x 220 x 100 cm
Entire drawing with daylight, graphite, aluminium powder, phthalo blue pigment and ground conte