edwardpovey
THE CHILDREN
Edward Povey
2008 - 2011
Oil on linen
42 x 30 inches
Signed and dated upper left
In the artist's own collection
The design for THE CHILDREN appeared with others in 2008, at a time when the symbol of the nanny was still unfolding in Povey's paintings, as a sign of the subconscious. The making of the painting itself was then delayed whilst other issues were addressed in different paintings, such as questions of color and paint surface. Finally now in 2011 the painting is complete.
In a dim room, two children gather near a fireplace, much like those seen by Povey in London in the 1950's. One of the "innocents" prepares to place a hot coal into the palm of his hand, watched casually by his sister. The nanny stares at the viewer with her head tilted provocatively, seemingly rejecting any interference. Her eyes are asymmetrical and disturbing.
Edward Povey himself can only surmise that the painting explores the relationship between innocence, the subconscious, and the emotions. "Artists," he insists, "are not responsible for the content of their art. In this case, our emotions are outraged that innocence is corrupted by the world. The world, which contains all. All loss, all sadness, all insanity, and all that is wonderful. Thus, slowly innocence is transformed into wisdom."