Title:

Green Man and the Artist

Artist:

Matt Brown

Website:

http://www.mattbrownart.com

For Sale:

£200-£299

Category:

Photography

Artist Comments:

Green Man and the Artist is my interpretation of the ancient mythical figure, the Green Man – someone who has arisen and persisted in scores of cultures around the world:

Watchful, at the edge of the forest, the Green Man approaches the stream clutching his basket of chestnuts, acorns and twigs. Though the stream is shallow, he is unable to cross, as it signifies the boundary of the woods, and the edge of his domain. Across the bridge, in the distance, lies the beginnings of civilisation, where the artist and the architect live…

For centuries, the Green Man has fascinated and shaped our cultures. In paintings, thresholds and cloisters you may spot his otherworldly face poking out, with leaves for hair. Sometimes, foliage may grow from his mouth, nostrils or eyes. There are few more mysterious than he. He is numinous – of Mysterium tremendum et fascinans – of “fearful and fascinating mystery”. The stuff from which deities and demons are born.

When depicted with antlers or horns, some have seen him as the precursor to the Devil. Though many have linked him with Osiris or Jesus. Even Robin Hood and Peter Pan are said to have evolved from this archetypal figure.

Whatever his real identity, he is old, and he forms a permanent part of our id – our deep, dark subconscious. A primeval part of us that ebbs and flows with the seasons.

Each year, as the leaves fall, the Green Man battles to keep the forest alive. Eventually, without fail, he will be defeated and killed by the Jack Frost of winter, and all that is green will wither away.

At the very peak of winter, though, when all hope is gone, and the world is darkness and cold, a figure walks softly, leaving a gift for each child as a sign that hope lives.

Finally, preceded with a stirring of buds and snowdrops, the Green Man resurrects. With him comes the light and warmth of spring, new life, heralded by a chorus of birds. And so the cycle begins again.

***

Most fascinating to me is the connection between the Green Man and the artist. The author William Anderson writes:

“He is the voice of inspiration to the aspirant and committed artist. He can come as a white light or the gleam on a blade of grass, but more often as an inner mood. The sign of his presence is the ability to work or experience with tireless enthusiasm beyond one’s normal capacities. In this there may be a link across cultures, …one reason for the enthusiasm of the medieval sculptors for the Green Man may be that he was the source of inspiration.”

And so there he stands, observing the bridge, where the artist has just crossed. What does he think as the figure steps back into civilisation after a foray into the forest? The artist is reinvigorated and revitalised. He’s inspired to begin again and create anew. But does the Green Man see him as thief or proponent? Is his inspiration a kind gift or an ungrateful exploit?

After all, it’s the artist who’ll enjoy the praise and recompense of his work, not the Green Man. The Green Man must always remain apart from civilisation, confined to the real, darker forest, not the romantic version seen by the artist.

Whatever his view of the painter, or architect, or sculptor, the Green Man must continue his unending struggle against the felling, fire, disease, storms and cold that threatens his realm. And so he will reach into his basket and throw acorns and chestnuts across the water to the bank on the other side, in the hopes that, one day, his forest may reach beyond the stream.

Artist Profile:

I’m a fulltime artist, living on the Isle of Man.

As you will see from my portfolio, most of my works are digital paintings. Digital painting is similar to traditional painting except instead of using pigment, the artist paints with light. Painting with light is fantastic. As with any exciting new tool, it offers up whole universes of discovery for the artist to explore.

       

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