SWIMMER

Can we stay afloat? 

Swimmer, 2021-2022
Oil paint, acrylic, carbon fibre and aluminium
Unique work
H60 x W110 x D9cm
© Mark Humphrey

“SWIMMER DEPICTS THE BUTTERFLY STROKE – A MOVEMENT OF STRENGTH, STAMINA AND TRANSFORMATION. LIKE THE BUTTERFLY ITSELF, THE SWIMMER BECOMES A SYMBOL OF METAMORPHOSIS, ADAPTING TO CHANGE AND FINDING THE ENDURANCE TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

THE PORTRAIT IS PAINTED FROM INTERCONNECTED, WEB-LIKE STRUCTURES, MUSCLES AND LIGAMENTS STRAINING AGAINST AND WITH THE WATER, WHILE WATER FALLS FROM THE OPEN EYES LIKE TEARS OF RESILIENCE. THE PICTURE CAN BE SEEN FROM BOTH SIDES, OFFERING DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES OF THE SWIMMER’S EXPERIENCE. SOMETIMES WE FIND OURSELVES AGAINST THE TIDE, SOMETIMES WE FLOW WITH THE CURRENT – EITHER WAY, WE MUST KEEP SWIMMING TO STAY AFLOAT.”

Mark Humphrey