As i’m sure we all know by now the path of true love never does run smooth. And today’s piece is something of a homage to that somewhat disturbing truism. In fact, today’s piece is largely about a love that has run it’s course and is now somewhat moribund. This is evident in the blue letters within the piece. I’m sure you can work it out.
Cheers
id-iom
Title: I love it here
Materials: Screen print, spray paint, stencils and paint pen
Size: A3 watercolour paper
Legend has it that shortly after Crawley was made a borough in 1974 the newly anointed mayor was presented with a modified coat of arms and a piece of art – both bearing Crawley’s motto ‘I grow and I rejoice’ (which, as I’m sure we all know is a translation of a phrase from the Epistulae of Seneca the Younger). The coat of arms has always been on display at the Town Hall whilst the art disappeared shortly after it’s initial presentation in somewhat murky circumstances during a drunken pub fight.
After investing a significant amount of time and effort in research and archaeology id-iom is proud to announce the recovery of this historically important document. It was discovered stuffed down the back seat of a decaying Ford Cortina. The people of Crawley can now rejoice however as the the art will soon be reunited with the coat of arms and the prophecy that has long been foretold may now come to pass.
Well, that’s my story and i’m sticking to it…
Cheers
id-iom
Title: I grow and I rejoice
Materials: Stencil, spraypaint, screen print & paint pen
Size: A3
It all began back in the summer of ’05 when we were just starting out on this career. At the time we were both working for the man, in dead-end office jobs and our fervour for life was on the wane. Whilst in the doldrums we went back home for a relative’s birthday party and whilst there came across a undeniable rogue of immense proportions, a true reprobate, a man who wallows in the murky grey underbelly of life. It was, of course, none other than Sir Asmund Quayle. Needless to say he was a delight to chat to and [3 paragraphs redacted].
After some hastily constructed explanations and a few secret handshakes the police agreed there were no charges to press and once the paramedic had finished her work and departed we all shook hands and had a good laugh at our immense stroke of good fortune. Naturally, given the situation, Sir Asmund was more than grateful and id-iom now had a very influential friend for life.
Of course this isn’t an actual likeness of Sir Asmund but more a totem/representation of him which we and others can use in everyday life. Remember this though – we all follow false idols.
Cheers
id-iom
Title: Sir Asmund Quayle – The patron saint of id-iom
Materials: Screen print, paint pen, acrylic and charcoal
Size: A3
The night bus. For some people merely the mention of getting the night bus is enough for them to break out in a cold sweat. For these girls however it holds the key to the city. They’ve been bumping and grinding at various locations in and around Brixton and the night bus is like a private chauffeur service that is always ready to whisk them away to the next party. It looks like butter couldn’t melt in their mouths but, be warned, they’ve been pulling these nocturnal manoeuvers in Brixton for long enough that you should be more worried about yourself. It can be dodgy out after dark…
She’s about 49 x 47cm in size and has been completed on a 1980’s night bus map for the Brixton area. She has been completed using the magic of screen printing, paint pens, spraypaint and stencils. Signed on reverse and complete with our id-iom stamp of approval.
Cheers
id-iom
Title: Nocturnal manoeuvers in Brixton
Materials: Screen print, paint pen, spraypaint and stencils
The quote ‘Anyone can take the helm when the sea is calm’ is attributed to Pubilius Syrus who was a freed Syrian slave writing maxims in Latin in Roman times and apparently making a good living from it.
Although the saying is nautical in nature it is widely applicable to life in general and means that when the sea is calm and times are good anyone can be in charge but when adversity comes calling and storm clouds gather you need a good captain with strong leadership skills to weather the storm. The sea can be a seductive yet treacherous mistress so I hope there’s a salty old sea dog at the helm…
She’s about 46 x 40cm in size and has been completed using screen printing, stencils and paint pen on a vintage cloth cycling map of the Lake District. I just love working on these old maps…
Cheers
id-iom
Title: Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm
Materials: Screen print with acrylic, spray paint and paint
Abbie Hoffman’s 1971 ‘Steal this book‘ epitomised the counter-culture mentality of the 60’s and went on to detail ways one could fight the man. As homage to the enduring spirit of the counter-culture and the continuing need to stick it to the man we’ve shamelessly appropriated the cover design and given it a little id-iom twist before releasing them back into the world..
I still can’t quite decide what’s the best way to use these… I think the obvious thing to do would be to drop them on the street somehow and see how long they last before someone makes off with them.
It’s an eminently thievable A3 in size and comes from an edition of 2. They’ve been completed using the magic of screen printing, spraypaint and stencils. Signed on reverse.
For further information about us and what we get up to you can visit our flickr and, we may be late to the party but, we’re also on twitter (@thisisidiom).
‘Cross my heart and hope to die’ is an idiom that one would use to emphasise that something is true. This lady on the other hand is a tricky little customer and I have a hard time believing anything that comes out of her mouth. Even if she has crossed her heart. Maybe, just maybe, this time she is on the level…
She’s a compact A4 in size and is from a small edition of 5. Each has been completed using the magic of screen printing, paint pens, spraypaint and stencils. Signed on reverse.
This picture, or some version of it, has been hanging round on my computer for a good long while now. For some reason I can’t really explain I had set myself the mission of trying to convert my sometime earworm ‘Let’s face the music and dance’ into a picture that would reflect the spirit of the song.
After many false starts and incomplete attempts I finally had something I was happy with and so put paint to paper. I think my favourite touch is the bass clef in the ladies eyes which speaks of late nights clubbing and busy dancefloors. So, as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers sang in Irving Berlin’s 1936 film ‘Follow the Fleet’:
“There may be trouble ahead
but while there’s music and moonlight
and love and romance
let’s face the music and dance”
She’s an eminently frameable A3 in size and has been completed using the magic of screen printing, paint pens, spraypaint and stencils. Signed on reverse.
For further information about us and what we get up to you can visit our blog (www.thisisidiom.wordpress.com) and twitter (@thisisidiom).
I think the title and the face says it all!! ‘They sleep we live’ is a mantra I’ve repeated to myself from time to time. Despite his pretend sad face you can see his smiling eyes emitting their intensive glare. There’s even a small bluebird of happiness in shot. What more could you want?
It’s A3 in size and is made using the magic of acrylic, spraypaint, stencils, screen printing and paint pen. Signed on reverse.
It’s been a while since i’ve been in the situation this chap finds himself in. He’s done all he can; got himself dressed up nice, got some flowers and found himself the right door to knock on. From here on in it’s no longer in his hands and the best he can do is put his best smile on and pretend he’s all confidence (which, he’s been informed, the ladies love). I can only wish him the best of luck…
He’s from an edition of 5 and is an eminently frameable A4 in size and has been completed using the magic of screen printing, paint pens, spraypaint and stencils. Signed on reverse.
For further information about us and what we get up to you can visit our Flickr and we’re also on Twitter (@thisisidiom).
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