2012

2012 Bathos
I was initially inspired by Hogarth’s last engraving ‘The Bathos’ which was completed some six months before his death, the engraving depicts the end of time in a somewhat flippant, surreal way- hence the title. With all the gloom and doom predictions associated with the year 2012 I thought It would be an interesting starting point for a still life full of symbolic references .
The hourglass and pocket watch are straight forward references to time running out, the watch being positioned carefully so that it seems to be running through the neck of the hourglass . The globe is a pretty obvious representation of the Earth, the book symbolises the sum of mankind’s knowledge. The bird’s skull represents death. The stoneware sphere surrounded by a black necklace next to the spectacles is supposed to be symbolic of the planet ((often referred to as "Nibiru") or black hole that the Earth is supposed to collide with in 2012 (Ooooer!). The Tankard spilling out liquid forms represents the great floods that are supposed to coincide with Solar maximums in 2012 ( is there no end to all this?...er, forgive the pun!). The shell is there to represent other life forms at risk. I could not resist putting in the bell which has Matthew, Mark, Luke and John depicted in the casting- this could refer to hope, faith, a better way of life or the futility of religion. I included a rotting apple to symbolise decay and increasing scarcity of resources. Mankind’s frailty and transience of existence is represented by the bubbles . The small combined cog and flywheel lies with no purpose and useless ( The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster).
Still, look on the bright side, it’s not all bad, the compass is symbolic of a new direction, the key is just that –a key to a better way, the spectacles may help us see things for what they are and plan accordingly. The small beech nut shell contains a small bubble ( new life).
Finally the main title is to be found on.......................
Forgive my ramblings.
Happy days! Cheers, Gary