Jonathan N. Wakeling's profile

Mowbray-Kaap Shamwaris

The signature painting of Table Mountain is called "Mowbray-Kaap Shamwaris" and is in memory of my father who lived in Cape Town. The "Mowbray-Kaap" comes from a song of that name by Freshlyground a South African afro-jazz band. And the "Shamwaris" is Shona for "friends" in recognition of Zimbabwe where I've spent most of my life having moved with the family from Canada at the age of two. The Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock "20th Century Art" project was started in Cape Town in 2008-9 and has only now come to fruition.

This project is the result of the newly named Kamala Harris Art Studio at Big Tree Harare (see photo) where I sat under a tree with my easel and painted. The Art Studio backs up Biden Park at Big Tree Harare to which it is adjacent.

The reference to Rothko and Pollock is in fact a reference to colour field painting as in Rothko and action painting as in Pollock - both are forms of abstract expressionism in 20th Century Art. And this project forms a cheat sheet for their work which inspired it.

The following description is from the Facebook post that got the project started a few weeks back.
Artillery Gallery Harare, Big Tree Harare, President Joe Biden, U.S. Embassy Harare

A beautiful mind...

Yin yang: The Dots and Squiggles - Rothko vs. Pollock Reviewed. Coming soon to a gallery near you.

Cezanne and Picasso - the steep next step. P.S. need some equipment artists?

What we learnt...

Pollock: The Dots and Squiggles aka The Stars and Stripes

Rothko: The Gardener's Cross. Jesus the Gardener and Backyard Crucifixion. Actually better than it sounds.

The Kamala Harris Art Studio came back with results. Doubt me to the last Mr. President. 

Remember your Sacred Stones Biden Park.

Modern Art - the New America. First Review. Postmodern art, science, poetry and literature - an open playing field.

Born in Canada. American Soldier of the Arts and Sciences.

Quantum Painting versus Poetic Physics.

Prepping for my first solo exhibit Mrs. Harris, Artillery et al.

Jesus the "Constant" Gardener: a Gentleman in the Making sir. The arts - a better cross to hang on.

Note well - painting is not a movie Hollywood.
The Kamala Harris Art Studio at Big Tree Harare
1. Rothko 1 - Making a start - staircase.
Rothko 1 - Making a start - staircase.  60cm x 45cm. Oil on canvas. August 2021
2. Rothko 2 - Orange on violet.
Rothko 2 - Orange on violet. A2. Oil on canvas. August 2021
3. Rothko 3 - Pink on beige
Rothko 3 - Pink on beige. A2. Oil on canvas. August 2021
4. Rothko 4 - The Gardener's Cross
Rothko 4 - The Gardener's Cross. A2. Oil on canvas. August 2021
5. Rothko 5 - Yellow and orange
Rothko 5 - Yellow and orange. A2. Oil on canvas. August 2021
6. Pollock 1 - Yellow ground
Pollock 1 - Yellow ground. A2. Oil on canvas. August 2021
7. Pollock 2 - Blood red
Pollock 2 - Blood red. A2. Oil on canvas. August 2021
8. Pollock 3 - Lettuce green
Pollock 3 - Lettuce green. A2. Oil on canvas. August 2021
9. Pollock 4 - Pastels
Pollock 4 - Pastels. A2. Oil on canvas. August 2021
10. Pollock 5 - The Blues
Pollock 5 - The Blues. A2. Oil on canvas. August 2021
11. Preparation for still life 1
Preparation for still life 1. A2. Oil on canvas. August 2021
12. Preparation for still life 2
Preparation for still life 2. A2. Oil on canvas. August 2021
13. Flowers - abstract
Flowers - abstract. A2. Oil on canvas. August 2021
14. Landscape
Landscape. A3. Oil on canvas. August 2021
15. Still life
Still life. A3. Oil on canvas. August 2021
16. Landscape with trees
Landscape with trees. A3. Oil on canvas. August 2021
17. Still life, fruit.
Still life, fruit. A3. Oil on canvas. August 2021
18. Mowbray-Kaap Shamwaris. for my Dad
Mowbray-Kaap Shamwaris. for my Dad. A3. Oil on canvas. August 2021
19. Still life, fruit and cloth
Still life, fruit and cloth. A3. Oil on canvas. August 2021
20. RED: Taylor's Version
RED: Taylor's Version. A3. Oil on canvas. August 2021
21. The Times They Are a-Changin'
The Times They Are a-Changin'. A3. Oil on canvas. August 2021
22. Abstract
Abstract. A3. Oil on canvas. August 2021
23. Zimbabwe Aloe
Zimbabwe Aloe. A3. Oil on canvas. August 2021
24. Abstract pastels. 40cm x 28cm
Abstract pastels. 40cm x 28cm. Oil on canvas. August 2021
Thank you for having a look at my painting! I hope you've enjoyed viewing as much as I did doing the painting.
Mowbray-Kaap Shamwaris
Published:

Mowbray-Kaap Shamwaris

A review of 20th Century Art in oils. Abstract Expressionism vs. Figurative Art. Abstract. Still life. Landscape. Portrait.

Published: