Worldmappe, John Lyons (80 x 60 cm, oil on canvas)
A view of the world
an artist’s impression
how I see it
drawn from memory
some anomalies
some distortions
some aspects
out of proportion
basic and schematic
a work of fiction
based on the loosest
of all possible perceptions
I’m not a satellite
I’m located somewhere
within these dimension
it’s a self-portrait
Apart from the ocean
the colours are notional
this is how I work
creating an underpainting
with a clear narrative
the north and south
of my knowledge
and nothing left to chance
These words are a draft
of other words as yet
unwritten
In the final painting
earth pigments will abound
actions will be recorded
representational actions
and the canvas will be
stained forever
my right hand holding
a thin stick will trace
the motion of currents
around this two-dimensional
globe upon which the sun
appears to always shine
I cannot literally
paint on your wall
much as I would love to
this is the best I can do
: hang it !
John Lyons