Description

Limited edition of 100 A5 prints based on Craig’s large Skull painting.

My work explores the symbolism and imagery associated with the Goth subculture. The historic literary past, which delved into the human fear and obsession with death, the gothic has always tried to confront the fear through acceptance of the inevitability of mortality whilst also celebrating the connection we can develop here on earth with the beyond.
The crucifixion has always been a theme I go back to in my work. The place of Christ’s crucifixion called Golgotha, (Aramaic: “Skull”) also called Calvary, (from Latin calva: “bald head” or “skull”)
The study of the relationship between humans and the deities was very much a part of my Christian upbringing. I then had to confront my own mortality after a cancer diagnosis. At the same time, the world went into lockdown and the media instilled the fear of death into our daily rhetoric. Mixed with the hegemonic power exertion through tight controls leading to fear amongst the populace that social interaction could ultimately lead to physical ailment and living in a society where death felt it was waiting around each corner, if we didn’t stay 2m apart from it. with this exhibition I am reappropriating the concept of death. It is my middle finger up to the hysteria our leaders continue to use in their sanctimonious pretence.

Craig Andrew Gilman, also known as Painty®, is a multi-disciplinary artist, originally from Biddulph and currently residing in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent . He began his art tuition at Newcastle-under-Lyme College, before studying for his degree at the University of Wolverhampton, majoring in Painting, and graduating in 1995. As a professional artist, Craig has been working in community arts since his teenage years, voluntary and paid, both in the public and private sectors. As an arts-in-health facilitator he delivers fun, therapeutic art sessions that have a strong element of mindfulness to support mental health and wellbeing. He is happy working with both children and adults who have a wide range of needs, such as those arising from emotional, behavioural, or mental health issues, and the effects of stress and trauma. In 2014 he founded the pop-up art studio business Painty® whose values are about fostering a fun, low stress, non-judgemental environment that inspires everyone to enjoy the process of creating something from nothing and recognises the benefits of creativity in people’s lives for both personal and professional development. Craig is an advocate for unpretentious art and believes that everyone is an artist whether they realise it or not.

Orientation: Vertical
Backside: Will be numbered out of 100 and signed by the artist
Corners: Square
Paper Stock: Glossy
Paper Weight: Premium
Size: A5 (148 x 210 mm)