Description

This is one of 4 pink skull paintings in the series. I painted these pink skulls after a visit to the Sedlec Ossuary in Czech Republic.

History

The story goes, in the 15th century a half blind monk was given the task of dealing with the 40,000 human remains from the most popular grave yard in central Europe. He used the bones creatively to decorate a crypt. When I visited the crypt it made a lasting impression on me. The energy of the place was so sympathetic and honoured the dead in such a beautiful manner. I found when painting each skull, that it was like painting a portrait, defining each furrow and brow, which gave a suggestion of a face or personality of a life once lived. I deliberately used pink to make the subject more softer, more palatable. Lots of people think of skulls as symbolising death but when I worked at the osteopaths, they taught me that skulls are about structure, they keep our brains in and thus are a positive thing. So these skull paintings are really just another celebration of life! I think they would suit someone who values an alternative lifestyle.