Vampyr

Oil on canvas

90x70cm

Vampyr is a chaotic departure from Clulow’s usual precise style, with thick layers of oil paint in dark red, ochre, violet, white, and Naples yellow, blending down the canvas. In its centre is a depiction of a vampire bat skull. The various symbols amongst the composition are traditional Romanian patterns and sigils. Many of them represent different emotional intentions ie. the diamond represents peace within oneself and others, while the diamond with extended lines represents the all seeing eye (wisdom, a higher power etc.) Vampyr like most of the artist’s work was inspired by textiles, the textures within them, and their contents, much of this piece is an imitation of fibres and stitching on a 2 dimensional surface. The bat skull at the painting's centre is a reference to the history and myth behind Romanian folklore most obvious being the tale of Dracula. It also served as a new exploration of a different subject in figurative painting, that being bones.