HOLOCENE COLLECTION — CLAIRE MILNER ART

A visual language speaking for the climate, nature and her wild creatures

“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”

— Robert Swan OBE

HOLOCENE TWILIGHT COLLECTION (2015 - 2016)

A collection of monochromatic paintings which develop the theme of, and contrast with the previous crystal mosaic collection entitled True Value. Grisaille oil paintings represent fading memories and loss. Endangered species within urban settings become metaphors for displacement. The works highlight the inconvenient truth that through apathy, financial and political vested interests, world leaders seem unwilling to deal with the most difficult issues that face us. The monochromatic images recall black and white tv, old photographs and memories of things long gone. A selection of the works reference Guernica, thus representing a clarion call for war against poaching, climate change and habitat degradation. A reimagined version of Pietro Longhi’s Exhibition of a Rhinoceros at Venice is the first of this suite of paintings. In the second painting, the Lion of Saint Mark, the symbol of Venice, has turned on its axis to face away from the city in the same direction as the displaced lion viewed by stupefied onlookers. The Unknown commissioned by British actress and activist Virginia McKenna and sold to British actress and activist Joanna Lumley, is an allegorical painting which flips socio-political power disparities. It focuses on the little five, as opposed to the usual 'Big Five' who are now concealed in the Rousseau inspired background.

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IMAGE INFORMATION:

Featured

'CONTEMPLATING CLARA: EXHIBITION OF A RHINOCEROS AT VENICE'

(After Longhi). Acrylic & oil paint on box canvas. 39.5 x 39.5 inches (100cm x 100cm) 2016

Featured in Art Upon.

Pietro Longhi's 'Exhibition of a Rhinoceros at Venice' records a historical event, the exhibition in Europe for the carnival of 1751 of a rhinoceros called Clara who had been brought to Europe ten years previously.

This reimagined version forms part of a new collection of incongruous images of animals out of place as an allegorical reference to the damaging effects of humans on other species through commodification, poaching, habitat loss and climate change.

'EXHIBITION OF A LION AT VENICE'

(After Longhi). Oil on canvas. 39.5 x 39.5 inches (100cm x 100cm) 2016

Featured in Art Upon and Ethical Hedonist.

Using Pietro Longhi's 'Exhibition of a Rhinoceros at Venice' as a starting point, this painting is part of a collection of monochromatic oil paintings which represent fading memories of things lost forever. Endangered species within urban settings serve as allegorical references for human as well as animal displacement. The Lion of Saint Mark, representing the evangelist St Mark, pictured in the form of a winged lion holding a Bible, and the symbol of the city of Venice, has turned on its axis to face away from the city in the same direction as the displaced lion viewed by stupefied onlookers.

'THE UNDENIABLE TRUTH'

Oil on box canvas. 39.5 x 39.5 inches (100cm x 100cm) 2016

Featured in Art Upon.

Using Pietro Longhi's 'Exhibition of a Rhinoceros at Venice' as a starting point, this collection of incongruous images of animals displaced to urban environments alludes to the damaging effects of humans on other species through commodification, poaching, habitat loss and climate change. The monochromatic images reference memories of things past. Another endangered species, this time an elephant, is displaced to Piazza Minerva (The Roman symbol of wisdom), where the passers by take no account of its presence.

'WIPE OUT AND FADE AWAY: AND THEN THERE WERE NONE..'

Oil paint on box canvas. 23.5 x 35.5 inches (60cm x 90cm)

Featured in Ethical Hedonist and Widewalls.

This artwork is part of the second collection of endangered animals, entitled "Wipe Out And Fade Away". In contrast to their brightly coloured crystal mosaic predecessors, all of the works in this collection are monochromatic or grisaille to represent fading memories and reference Guernica, arguably the most famous war painting in art history. The works represent a call to action for war against poaching and habitat loss and as a wake up call that wildlife populations worldwide have declined by 52% since 1970.

'WIPE OUT AND FADE AWAY: SPOTLIGHT ON EXTINCTION' (PRIVATE COLLECTION, GERMANY).

Oil paint on box canvas. 23.5 x 35.5 inches (60cm x 90cm)

Featured in Ethical Hedonist Magazine

This artwork is part of the second collection of endangered animals, entitled "Wipe Out And Fade Away". In contrast to their brightly coloured crystal mosaic predecessors, all of the works in this collection are monochromatic or grisaille to represent fading memories and reference Guernica, arguably the most famous war painting in art history. The works represent a call to action for war against poaching and habitat loss and as a wake up call that wildlife populations worldwide have declined by 52% since 1970.

'WIPE OUT AND FADE AWAY: UPROAR!'

Oil paint on box canvas. 20 x 30 inches (51cm x 76cm)

This artwork is part of the second collection of endangered animals, entitled "Wipe Out And Fade Away". In contrast to their brightly coloured crystal mosaic predecessors, all of the works in this collection are monochromatic or grisaille to represent fading memories and reference Guernica, arguably the most famous war painting in art history. The works represent a call to action for war against poaching and habitat loss and as a wake up call that wildlife populations worldwide have declined by 52% since 1970.

'WIPE OUT AND FADE AWAY: MELTING FROM APATHY'

Oil paint on box canvas. 35.5 x 35.5 inches (90cm x 90cm)

Featured in Oceanic Global and Investable Oceans.

This artwork is part of the second collection of endangered animals, entitled "Wipe Out And Fade Away". In contrast to their brightly coloured crystal mosaic predecessors, all of the works in this collection are monochromatic or grisaille to represent fading memories and reference Guernica, arguably the most famous war painting in art history. The works represent a call to action against climate change and for war against poaching and habitat loss and as a wake up call that wildlife populations worldwide have declined by 52% since 1970.

'JEOPARDY'

(After Tamara De Lempicka) Acrylic & oil paint on box canvas. 39.5 x 39.5 inches (100cm x 100cm) 2016

Featured in WideWalls.

Allegorical painting about mans dominance as a top predator and the destruction of the natural world. A cautionary tale that mankind will be the net loser as ecosystems break down due to climate change, habitat loss and extinction resulting in predator becoming prey.

'THE UNKNOWN' (COMMISSIONED BY VIRGINIA MCKENNA. COLLECTION OF JOANNA LUMLEY).

Swarovski crystals, rhinestones, acrylic & oil paint on box canvas. 51 x 51 inches (130cm x 130cm) 2015 Private Collection. U.K.

Exhibited at The Royal Horticultural Halls, London. Featured in Ethical Hedonist, Yorkshire Living and The Flux Review.

“The Unknown” is an allegorical painting about power disparities. It focuses on the “Little Five”: Leopard Tortoise, Elephant Shrew, Rhino Beetle, Buffalo Weaver and Ant Lion, as opposed to the usual “Big Five” who, this time, are hidden in the Rousseau inspired background.