Jazzy

From the series of paintings on panels of Jazz Muscians. These works on panels are from a body of work that tells the story of Jazz and Blues. Painted in oils on Limedwood Panels handdmade in a small factory in Italy. 

My love of Jazz stems from my obsession as a youth with New York and Harlem. I used to watch black and white films from the 1930’s and 1940’s, and would be transfixed by the dancing of the Nicolas Brothers, Cab Calloway and his band and many other musicians who played Jazz. Furthermore the period of the Harlem Renaissance was one that seemed pivotal in the cultural and creative evolution of black creativity. The style from of that era was one that was elegant and had a class that held it’s own. The migration of blacks from down South to New York (Harlem) made it the epicentre of music and black excellence and existence.

Jazz musicians feature a lot in my work as they are a symbol of strength, and operate outside convention;