I'm Not Afraid (A Midsummer Night's Dream)
I'm Not Afraid (A Midsummer Night's Dream)
I'm Not Afraid (A Midsummer Night's Dream)
I'm Not Afraid (A Midsummer Night's Dream)
I'm Not Afraid (A Midsummer Night's Dream)
I'm Not Afraid (A Midsummer Night's Dream)
I'm Not Afraid (A Midsummer Night's Dream)
I'm Not Afraid (A Midsummer Night's Dream)

I'm Not Afraid (A Midsummer Night's Dream)

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Thou art translated...

My interpretation of Shakespeare’s famous play ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is a modern take on the beautiful classic paintings that exist, by creating an intriguing image that touches you and fuels your own imagination. I enjoy presenting a scene full of drama that you would happen to stumble upon when walking through a dense woodland. One that is compact to the point that a few metres either side and you could easily walk by never knowing it existed, or try to retrace your steps to go back to what you are sure you saw but never find, maybe it was all just a dream?

Tall, dense trees that filter light through whilst creating imposing and ever-changing shadows, mist that creeps and winds around them from a previous shower, a forest floor that is so full of life and detail where so many creatures wake when others sleep and the notion that the forest becomes enchanted, a true fairytale. Sat against one of the trees is a jaded Nick Bottom who sits dejected after having his head turned into an donkey by the mischievous Puck during a rehearsal of a play. An act that was designed to scare off the other characters and upset him but failed to achieve what was intended. The queen of the fairies Titania sits alongside Nick with her arms draped around his neck offering comfort and support.

It is such a beautiful image that on first glance can be quite random but when you look closer it portrays so much more and was the catalyst for my narrative that drives this piece. Like with the majority of my work there exists darkness and light, sadness and hope, each side by side and battling for control. This is the case here as I have combined beautiful detail and a piercing light source with subtle tinges of darkness that linger in the shadows and try to encroach on what is good, or vulnerable. Coming into the scene, appearing through the glow is Oberon, the king of the fairies, a beautiful deer wearing a wooden crown has a wonderful dream-like feel, something that you might just happen to see in a glance of an eye or when the light expands and contracts.

A solitary white dove that symbolises protection to a loved one whenever used in my work rests on a branch above which only strengthens Nick’s resolve and fuelling his determination not to be beaten. You might also notice a hare sat on it’s haunches, it’s funny I had always intended to introduce animals to my forest setting and this particular time of day here in the studio sees rabbits and hares come out from the hedgerows and their burrows and sprint about in front of me. It is so good to see as the reflection from the large studio windows allows me to watch largely unseen however they do seem to have an incredible sense of danger and speed of reaction so because of this I have positioned one close to the characters so as to become a look out and alert them at the first sense of trouble.

Through finding comfort and support from those close and in spirit Nick draws from this and rises above Puck, instead of being crushed and defeated by looking like an Ass, he finds the strength to sing! The aim was to create a piece that lived up to the enormity of the play and that embraced all that is wonderful whilst putting my own twist to it and showcasing my own style. I hope I have created not just a powerful image that is authentic to the original narrative but that I have succeeded in expanding on the sense of seeking and finding comfort through those close to you, both physically and in spirit and being able to rise up, gain strength and sing.