George Linou
visual artist
South Australian Living Artists Festival 2020
presents....
Queen Adelaide and King Charles
A tale of two cities
by visual artist
George Linou
Paintings of Adelaide's architecture and houses of Charleston USA, now in isolation because of COVID-19.
Please play audio and scroll down to visit exhibition.
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I'm immersed in MY THOUGHTS
of theN AND now!
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AND i'm held within the bonds
of A King and Queen
WHY DID I paint THE PLACES OF
QUEEN Adelaide and
KING Charleston?
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ARE THEY OF ROYAL IMPORTANCE TO THE SAFETY OF ONE'S family and home
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WHEN FAMILY AND HOME ARE AT RISK DURING isolation AND PROTEST
WILL THE KINGS AND QUEENS PROTECT US DURING this CRISIS?
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Queen Adelaide and King Charles: a tale of two cities
Paintings of Adelaide's architecture and houses of Charleston USA, now in isolation because of COVID-19 and I'm immersed the memory of why painted them.
The two cities hold a significant bond to me, one my home town Adelaide and the second in Charleston USA where I have family and friends, which now speak of isolation facing solitude because of COVID-19.
The cities are now closed off from me and others and I am caught-up in the memory of why I painted them in the first place and I acknowledge that they reflect on the importance home and hope and the buildings are a form of protection and represent a migration from Adelaide to Charleston.
The title references the historical and hierarchy, which founded the two cities, Queen Adelaide and King Charleston. Both are known as the cities of churches. Adelaide was a planned colony and founded in 1836 and promising civil liberties and freedom from religious persecution for immigrants. The city was named in honour of Queen Adelaide consort to King William IV. Charleston was founded in 1670 as Charles Town, honouring King Charles II of England. One of the key cities in the British colonization of the Americas, Charles Town played a major role in the slave trade, which laid the foundation for the city's size and wealth. This metaphorical marriage brings together my connection of the cites as a way to consider their geographical and historical references.
I compose my paintings in a sunny, decorative style, echoing the similarity between southern Australian and Southern USA climates. I am captured by the architecture of this historical period which is linked to the hierarchy of the past, yet because of the COVID-19, both cities are isolated and waiting in isolation.
Description of paintings
1. A corner shop: Street: Charleston: 2009. oil on canvas. 600 x 500 x 30mm.
2. . Adelaide : 2020. oil on canvas. 700 x 300 x 30mm. (NFS)
3. Gayle's House: Charleston: 2009. oil on canvas. 500 x 300 x 30mm.
4. Norwood Cottage. Adelaide : 2020. oil on canvas. 200 x 200 x 30mm.
5. Steps to my cousin: Charleston. 2009. oil on canvas. 900 x 660 x 30mm.
6. Pilgrim Centre: Adelaide. 2019. oil on canvas. 300 x 200 x 30mm.
7. Stopping at Queen Street: Charleston. 2009. oil on canvas. 910 x 660 x 30mm.
8. Looking East on King: Adelaide. 2019. oil on canvas. 900 x 300 x 30mm.
9. Queen St ,Charleston. 2009. oil on canvas. 500 x 300 x 30mm.
10. GPO. Adelaide. 2019. oil on canvas. 800 x 200 x 30mm.
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Works are available for purchase on P.O.A unless indicated.
WHILE YOUR AT MY EXHIBITION, PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO SEE MY OTHER WORKS ON MY WEBSITE.
The current climate of physical distancing prompts artists to consider not only alternative means of presentation,
but also the opportunity to experiment and extend the boundaries of their practice
For the entire month of August, audiences are able to explore,engage with and discover
the work of South Australian artists, like George Linou.
