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Oil on board
Sometime in 2001, I was commissioned by Fr Eduardo Vargas, a visiting priest from The Americas to paint him something small; He wanted a depiction of The Sacrament. With time against us (he was en route to Rome to complete his studies) I had to work quickly.
Starting a painting never poses much of an issue, however, finding the inspiration to draw a narrative from, does!
One quiet evening, and running parallel to this story, I was at a vigil held for a dear friend who was silently and bravely battling a health issue. Although his news wasn’t positive, he remained stoic and truly inspirational. During the ceremony, my focus would flit between prayer offerings, the yet-to-be-discovered commission and an elderly man, stood directly ahead, clasping behind him a rosary. The beads would run through the palm of his weary hands, each drawn one by one via thumb and index finger; So quickly would they feed through I found it near impossible to focus on the service at hand.
I looked closer, this time locking in on the hands; one clasping the wrist of the other so tightly it seemed to cut off the very life blood running through. Both limbs had now become two different entities; one, full of life, grasping as if to pull and support the other which looked tired, limp, almost lifeless. The rosary beads, lost in the folds of skin and bone, bled out from the centre into the chapel’s evening light… my painting could begin!
Sparing the detail, my dear friend who would often pay a visit for tea to share in banter about art, music and movie history finally lost his battle sometime after The Sacrament left our shores for a new home. He loved the painting and it’s narrative. I was fortunate to hand him a one-off framed print with a personal message written on its lower border.
Many months after his passing I visited his resting place to pay my respects.
My message, in part, had been inscribed on his headstone.
RIP Peter Lesser, a true gentle-man
Acrylic on Canvas
Painting & Narrative 5 of 6
31.25 x 58.5 inches
2017
Excerpt & Painting, 3 of 7, taken from the exhibition, ‘Credo’ 2007
Acrylic on Canvas – 100 x 80cm
© Pierre Bamin 2007. All Rights Reserved
In 1990 Sierra Leone’s devastating civil war began to take shape and the consequences that followed were documented all over the world.
My great-aunt was one of the lucky evacuees. It was her second time on an aeroplane and her first trip to the UK. She was 86 at the time. For the period of a year, before returning to Freetown, her stay will always remain in my memory.
The inspiration for this painting was borne out of our walks together. My aunt, like many from the very rural parts of Africa remained pure and unpoisoned in life’s outlook …she was incredibly grounded and practical.
It was a warm day (much to her approval) as we strolled along a street aligned with apple-blossom trees; a few steps into our walk she paused next to one and pointing upwards asked me about their fruits…
“No fruits Aunty, they are only here to beautify the area”, I replied. Holding my hand she leant out and looking further down the road asked about the others; my response was the same, only this time with a knowing smile, convinced I hadn’t sold it to her.
She stepped in close and began to explain the importance of planting trees that bear something… ‘harvest what is natural and free’
“…luk bah, tumara we dɛn kɔl, yu go rɔn go bay na shap lɛkɛ kresman …tin we yu kin jɛs pik yaso fɔ natin”
“…tomorrow when they are ready, you’ll travel quickly to the shops buying apples like a crazy person …something you could’ve picked here for free”.
Although we laughed, mutually aware of the gentle clash of cultures, her statement stuck! What she described goes much further than seeds, pips and council logistics. It was a revelation to me on the state of our lives today; ‘Freedom’ certainly comes with a price tag! Do simple acts of giving freely still exist or are we all held to account by some economical undercurrent? We grow only in our yards, in our-selves, what is naturally free; but are we willing to share the results of our efforts at no cost? Like the trees on our walk, we see only a partial side; the prize stock kept secretly only for self. With no fruits to distract us we walk, are we perhaps failing to enjoy nature’s dynamics? If juicy edibles were hanging off a branch or two, one would not only stop to pick, but maybe spend time to contemplate the savouring season …maybe.
I was once witness to some children in Sierra Leone racing toward a tree their target a huge ripened mango hanging there quite limply. Whilst avoiding a hail of incoming stones, the bigger lad in his eagerness to reach it, had climbed quite near, but somehow overstretched knocking it to the ground. The smaller children dashed off with the prize each trying to snatch a bite. A mixture of fear (purely driven by their older adversary who was now in hot pursuit) coupled with the irresistible taste and shine of this large fruit added to the game that ensued. There was laughter, dodging, stumbling and mango skin everywhere; so much energy and laughter was felt in that moment, even for those watching.
I appreciate that we live in a very different world and to think of this utopia where we can simply walk along picking free fruits is purely a daydream; logistics dear boy – the mess, rotting fruits everywhere – order must be in place to keep our lives sustainable and free… right?
I prefer the leaf from Mother Nature’s book.
Aunty Wadia passed away 31 May 2008; She was 104.
Available for private commissions
Please contact me with your queries
Excerpt & Painting, 2 of 7, taken from the exhibition, ‘Credo’ 2007
Acrylic on Canvas – 100 x 80cm
© Pierre Bamin 2007. All Rights Reserved
The Potter’s creations exist to serve a purpose; each are very different, but function together to serve our humanity and destiny.
Humanity, as I see it, happens only because of service to one another. Just as The Potter creates for particular purposes, so we are all designed to serve with a degree of wisdom, knowledge and conscience. Do we keep it to ourselves or do we pour out to receive more in return? The outcome of ‘only taking’ is all but predictable; whereas the idea of ‘giving to gain’ seems far favourable in fulfilling ones journey through life. Our vocations, whatever they may be, are channelled through these mediums and continuously replenished during this exchange of self. Our containers hold, only to pass on, gifts which one day will be returned when it is most needed; this ‘pouring out’ may fall to your children, friends or community; much like the butterfly effect.
We are who we are because of others and not ‘because we made it so’! Gluttony is not reserved only for food but that of power. Only The Potter knows how much each vessel can carry and for what purpose. We may not know the plan but by continually exchanging our gifts we are able to purge those powers of their greed, collectively.
The same clay fashions new pots …we are all equal. We each will face trials but throughout this, will continue to pour, nourishing one another’s spiritual strength. When we lose a loved one there is a sudden flow of love from all around; There stands The Potter, with you and I.
I dedicate this painting to the unique properties of the human spirit.
Available for private commissions
Please contact me with your queries
Acrylic on Board
Painted using a palette knife only
Available for private commissions
Please contact me with your queries
“The Quiet Man”
An absolute pleasure to paint
Acrylic on Canvas
Perr, we yu fɔs kam, a pul yu na dɛn an ɛn a hol yu so;
Pa Umaro
soteeee wi rich na tɔŋ a nɔ lɛf yu.
Na so a bin hol yu!
“Should you ever visit Freetown and bump into Pa Umaro, please tell him that Perr says Hi.”