'The longest sleep' — Tao Delves

Artist Statement

The use of allegorical symbolism reoccurs in my works - Western imagery, cowboy outlandish non conformist figures expressing freedom and line-work creating vast spaces and pathways. I am Inspired by outsider art and Ancient Neolithic primitive art. Some artists who I am greatly inspired by are: Bill traylor the African American self taught artist who was born into slavery. Danny Fox, he paints recurring images of horses, which he has said symbolises ‘mankind’s desire to conquer and control. A poem by him: Stay with me forever, I will never leave you. Lay down beside me under the golden sky. Breathe with me in the rhythm of the Universe. Adam Alessi whose works resemble dreamlike visions; his paintings have themes of nightmares.

Theme: SCAPE

I love to do coastal walks down at Bushrangers bay in flinders and the Cape Shank steps down to secluded rock pools to swim in. These walks inspire the vast open landscapes that the line-work and figures create on my works, being away from crowds that sense of freedom that comes from being out in nature - clay comes from the earth and the clay I use is mixed with sand. When firing my work I keep the natural sandy clay surface visible to give the feel of something ancient found on a natural rock formation. Giving the sense of time fading and old - world feeling.

— Tao Delves, Aspendale