Natural history graffiti
The first thing you notice about natural history graffiti is the towering edifice looming above you. It seems to go on forever. Drawing your eyes up to the molten sky, like they’re alien rocks or Meteors hurled across space. The sky is simultaneously fluid and cracked like a parched ground.
Snaking across are fluid strokes, sprayed, graffiti-like, to break up the crazed blue surface. Blues and purples, swirling in masses, break into stars of light blue and lavender.
The Tower itself stretches to the sky, details disappearing as your eyes scan upwards. Then travelling back down, the colours pulsate with a vibrant richness. Golden yellows, jewel like blues and reds call out with deep blues and greens clashing. Trying to rein back the colour but the vibrant colours win the day.
Once you get past the colour, the details emerge. Organic textures feature contrasting the smooth reflections in the glass. Scales cling on the twisted columns, regimented leaves frame the windows and a small lion stands guard watching for signs of trouble. Vines and flowers cap the scaly columns, a patchwork of colour.
There’s an assault on the senses as you take it all in. You think you’re done
But then you noticed something more…
Where are you?
You are standing in the queue to enter the Natural History Museum.
Look up and this is what you will see, or a version of it at least. The colours are all there if you look for them.
Natural History Graffiti is one of my London paintings. You can see more here.
