The Nature of Being

These paintings are the beginnings of a body of work created by Romany during the Coronavirus pandemic and specifically during the lockdown in the UK.

 

At the beginning of 2020 Romany had gone to live in Pietrasanta in Northern Italy for two years to sculpt in marble Unfortunately due to the pandemic advancing across Northern Italy he had no alternative but to return to the UK in March 2020. As the seriousness of the pandemic became clear Romany made a dash driving 1000  over three days across Europe with his dog Arkle.

 

Creatively Romany found himself in the wilderness. He had made a monumental decision to park painting for a few years to go return to sculpting, only to have to leave Italy. He contracted the virus, but after a couple of months started to paint once more.  Initially his lockdown paintings were dark and depressing, he destroyed many. Eventually this collection began to emerge.

 

Romany believes these paintings reflect his appreciation of the nature that surrounding him, and in spite of the situation we have found ourselves in.  Romany has always walked his dog in the countryside, but never before was he observing nature through the prism of lockdown.  Those walks became more precious than ever before.

During a time when humanity is floundering to find a way through the complex repercussions of a pandemic that may be the result of humanity’s persistent and excessive intrusion into nature.  On his daily walks Romany observed that many species of plants and insects are thriving as a result of the reduction in transport and pollution.

Immediately before leaving for Italy Romany spent a month in South Australia where fire had ravaged the Adelaide Hills and Kangaroo Island. The devastation of the landscape threatened nature more than man. Already the green shoots are emerging. For him these paintings represent hope and optimism for all the future of all of us.

*the paintings all bear the names of songs Romany has listened to in his studio during lockdown.