61 x 39 cm on a 75 x 50 cm sheet of fine art paper €150

Fine-Art Print

The original painting was donated to The SCOOP Foundation 2021

The underlying theme of this series of work 'Stones' is that of Hope. We are constantly being bombarded by political unrest, austerity and despair. The stone series presents the idea of knowledge and rebirth. The Irish always held stones to have old magic, wisdom and as a symbol of hope.

The Lia Fail, (Stone Blue or black) is one of the Sacred Symbols of the Tuatha de Danann, and their sacred wisdom. The Lia Fail, was either one stone or many. It is carefully and deliberately protected. When it speaks, it speaks with purpose. It provides insight into both present and future. It also possesses great magical power that can not be denied. It was specially inscribed in mystery and wisdom. Thus the Lia Fail was and remains sacred knowledge with four Elements.. from the east illumination, from the south Inspiration, from the West Creativity, from the north Knowledge.

The black stones in Knowing (2009) came from the place the ship was stationed; you can see them clearly as the ship takes off. The children who are chosen, have a black stone. Black stones symbolise the presence of the "aliens” and that they are nearby. Knowing is based on a story originally written by American novelist Ryne Pearson.

John Russell suggests that Bevis Hillier presents in Austerity Binge a new insight into the psychological interpretation of art post the Second World War. Russell calls it the 'Oyster Principle', where the menacing shapes of war are converted into lyrical symbols. In Stones 11, I use the idea of this book ( the blank white pages) combined with the images of stones, painted in a modernist style to suggest our future is a blank page filled with hope and magic.