Spirit Animal Art
/
Solo Exhibition
/
2015
Cosmic Pilgrim
Project Details
Client:
Harmony, Inc.
Creative Director:
Elvis Bennet
Art Director:
Joseph Lewis
Year
2023
Project Description
It's funny how inanimate objects can retain such powerful sentiment. An instantly recognisable silhouette, combination of colours or an iconic pattern that catapults you back to a specific time and place.
Today I started my new body of work. 'Cosmic Pilgrim' revisits a year of European expedition starting with a precarious dip into Berlin's nightlife, a trek into the misty mountain villages of Bulgaria, a balmy summer vacay in Javea, mischief on the party island of Ibiza, bliss in the seaside towns of southern France, a whirlwind taste of vivacious Barcelona and finally, catharsis in Marazion.
Story
The door thuds and hands fumble over pockets. Wallet, phone, passport. Okay, ready. It's still dark as I storm down Brick Lane towards Liverpool Street station. Plastic suitcase wheels rattle loudly over the bumpy cobblestone pavement, breaking the seal of a mute London dawn. I'm still feeling dusty from the weekend but I've got a plane to catch and adventure is calling.
I left packing until the last minute so was running on 1 hour of sleep. Turns out my train was cancelled so after an anxious 40 minute wait, I finally arrived at Stansted Airport. I checked-in quickly, navigated a frustrating 25 minute security queue and frantically scanned the departures board for my gate. London to Berlin, Gate 88, departing 6.05am. It was already 6.20am.
Story
I threw my luggage up over my shoulders and thundered through the airport. I was Rambo. As expected, Gate 88 was completely empty. I toppled into the desk, spilling my passport and boarding pass onto the gate attendant in desperation. She turned to me and said, 'Sir, the plane hasn't left yet but didn't certify your visa at check-in'. I was mortified. She scribbled something on my boarding pass and unconvincingly told me to run. I was Forest Gump. From the gate window I could see the plane door slowly closing so with one last grunt, I scampered over the tarmac, powered up the stairs and tumbled into the plane. After wading uncomfortably through a sea of dirty looks, I collapsed in my seat, breathless and sweaty. The plane hit the runway and I passed out.
Artwork Info
I was sitting at a large wooden table in the lobby carefully surveying a city map. It was my first time travelling solo through Europe and this hostel would be basecamp for the next 4 days. It was nightfall now and a convivial ambience filled the lobby. The murmur of mingling backpackers was building, broken intermittently by bursts of laughter and colliding shot glasses. Berlin's fabled nightlife was literally at my doorstep and I was excited to see where the night would take me.
On my way out, I met two travellers from Newcastle, Rich and Dan. "We're heading to this bar..." Moments later, I was in the backseat of a taxi speeding into town.
We were out on the jetty when dawn arrived; an uncomfortably bright orb wedging itself between the horizon and a waning night sky. Through bloodshot eyes, we watched boats chug by and planes soar overhead. That's when it started, a subtle slip and drift, a slight loss of traction
Artwork Info
'Disco Meerkat'
2015
900 x 1200 mm
By the canal there was an old chalet. It was an odd concrete box that resembled a prison cell from the outside. Vines of multicoloured lights led us through a leafy passage to a forest-like clearing. To my right, a handful of kids were huddled around a bonfire. To my left, an abandoned piano.
That night we danced in the flames of hell. Around me demons frolicked, their limbs mangled and contorting, their faces beaming with euphoric disfiguration. Beside the bathroom mirror under the glow of a dim light, I noticed the words ‘Don’t forget to go home'.
We dragged ourselves down to the river one last time and perched along the bank, our feet dangling inches away from the water's surface. Black waves were slurping and slapping against the concrete walls but we sat in silence; empty vessels savouring the last rays of light before the darkness returned.
The next morning, Berlin was over and we were ready to find our way back to reality.
Artwork Info
'Javea'
2015
2500 x 1200 mm
On the third day, we left the villa and followed the salty breeze toward the water. Javea is a small seaside town on the east coast of Spain. The main promenade is lined with alfresco restaurants and market stalls and the beach is nestled between two dramatic cliffs. On the horizon is a grand pyramid mountain that could be seen for miles.
On the final night, we strolled down to the beach, our bellies full of seafood and our spirits merry from the sangria. The beach was deserted and moonbeams bounced over the rippling water. We threw our clothes onto the sand and dove into the illuminated sea. The next morning, we said goodbye to our Spanish paradise, revitalized by the healing waters of this peaceful town.
Behind the scenes
Through the dirty window glass, I watched another dusting of dilapidating buildings recede into the distance. We continued to ascend through a thicket of multi-story canopies venturing deeper into the Bulgarian wilderness. Almost 7 hours on this rickety bus and everyone was getting restless. As we spiralled up the mountain range, I watched the sun sink into the neighbouring valley. We must be close now, I thought.
The Golden Otter was our guide for the next week. Known as the town’s Pied Piper, he was an enthralling enigma but relentlessly chatty and local folklore believed he had a tongue made of silver. We followed him, dragging our luggage over the tall grass, up a rocky pathway and between cobblestone walls, bemused by his nonsensical babbling the whole way.
Finally we stopped in front of a small red door. “We have arrived!” From within, we could hear the scuttle of faint footsteps followed by the chinking of keys.
Behind the scenes
At midnight, the moon appeared over the treetops and the mountain erupted; a tidal wave of light and sound bathing everyone in indigo rays and rippling frequencies. The vibrations in the ground kept our toes light and we spent the night dancing under the stars
At 5am, everyone was gathered on the hill. The mountain air was brisk so we huddled together to keep warm.
I sat in silence staring out into a dense curtain of fog, the music droning behind somewhere in the distance. My body was exhausted from the night but my mind was open and alert. Slowly the pale grey clouds melted away revealing a powder blue sky, blushing with soft apricot highlights. I watched as dark silhouettes slowly emerged from the horizon, completely hypnotised by the grandeur of these rousing giants. Finally the first ray of dawn glinted, darting across the carpet of clouds toward us and the sky was set ablaze.
850 metres above sea level in the middle of the Bulgarian wilderness, mother nature was putting on a show and I was grateful we had front row seats.
Opening Night
'Javea'
2015
2500 x 1200 mm
On the third day, we left the villa and followed the salty breeze toward the water. Javea is a small seaside town on the east coast of Spain. The main promenade is lined with alfresco restaurants and market stalls and the beach is nestled between two dramatic cliffs. On the horizon is a grand pyramid mountain that could be seen for miles.
On the final night, we strolled down to the beach, our bellies full of seafood and our spirits merry from the sangria. The beach was deserted and moonbeams bounced over the rippling water. We threw our clothes onto the sand and dove into the illuminated sea. The next morning, we said goodbye to our Spanish paradise, revitalized by the healing waters of this peaceful town.
Story
Artwork Info
'The Golden Otter'
2015
1100 x 1100 mm
Through the dirty window glass, I watched another dusting of dilapidating buildings recede into the distance. We continued to ascend through a thicket of multi-story canopies venturing deeper into the Bulgarian wilderness. Almost 7 hours on this rickety bus and everyone was getting restless. As we spiralled up the mountain range, I watched the sun sink into the neighbouring valley. We must be close now, I thought.
The Golden Otter was our guide for the next week. Known as the town’s Pied Piper, he was an enthralling enigma but relentlessly chatty and local folklore believed he had a tongue made of silver. We followed him dragging our luggage over the tall grass, up a rocky pathway and between cobblestone walls, bemused by his nonsensical babbling the whole way.
Finally we stopped in front of a small red door. “We have arrived!” From within, we could hear the scuttle of faint footsteps followed by the chinking of keys.
Story
At midnight, the moon appeared over the treetops and the mountain erupted; a tidal wave of light and sound bathing everyone in indigo rays and rippling frequencies. The vibrations in the ground kept our toes light and we spent the night dancing under the stars
At 5am, everyone was gathered on the hill. The mountain air was brisk so we huddled together to keep warm.
I sat in silence staring out into a dense curtain of fog, the music droning behind somewhere in the distance. My body was exhausted from the night but my mind was open and alert. Slowly the pale grey clouds melted away revealing a powder blue sky, blushing with soft apricot highlights. I watched as dark silhouettes slowly emerged from the horizon, completely hypnotised by the grandeur of these rousing giants. Finally the first ray of dawn glinted, darting across the carpet of clouds toward us and the sky was set ablaze.
850 metres above sea level in the middle of the Bulgarian wilderness, mother nature was putting on a show and I was grateful we had front row seats.
Story
At midnight, the moon appeared over the treetops and the mountain erupted; a tidal wave of light and sound bathing everyone in indigo rays and rippling frequencies. The vibrations in the ground kept our toes light and we spent the night dancing under the stars
At 5am, everyone was gathered on the hill. The mountain air was brisk so we huddled together to keep warm.
I sat in silence staring out into a dense curtain of fog, the music droning behind somewhere in the distance. My body was exhausted from the night but my mind was open and alert. Slowly the pale grey clouds melted away revealing a powder blue sky, blushing with soft apricot highlights. I watched as dark silhouettes slowly emerged from the horizon, completely hypnotised by the grandeur of these rousing giants. Finally the first ray of dawn glinted, darting across the carpet of clouds toward us and the sky was set ablaze.
850 metres above sea level in the middle of the Bulgarian wilderness, mother nature was putting on a show and I was grateful we had front row seats.
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