Bull in a China Shop

Acrylic on non-reflective and UV resistant glass.

53 x 73cm

2021

Due to the fragile nature of this piece it is only available for London delivery or collection. Delivery would be complimentary. Please email me to arrange collection or delivery on info@melodytravers.net.

Part of my inspiration comes from play on words and popular sayings. This piece, as you’ve probably guessed is an interpretation of the expression “Like a bull in a China shop”, meaning someone who is clumsy and breaks things easily. I thought it would look great with the glass element and initially wanted to paint the final layer of glass to look like its been broken but it didn’t quite work. It was too much with the background and the bull. I mainly wanted to convey the idea of porcelain/China crockery without actually painting a tea cup or plate.

That’s when I came up with the idea of painting the Blue Willow pattern in the background. I’ve visited blue willow pattern and story in “And They Turned Into Doves” in the Mini Menagerie Collection. It is a traditional tea set pattern made popular in 18th century England. The pattern is traditionally blue and meant to tell an ancient Chinese folk tale featuring a willow and star-crossed lovers overcoming adversity (this has largely been disproved as not actually part of the Chinese heritage but a clever marketing ploy by and English designer to lend the pattern authenticity).

I painted the doves and the willow tree branches on paper to represent the porcelain element. The bull is painted on glass; I actually chose a bison as they are particularly large and imposing so contrasted nicely with the delicate elements of the background.

The bison is in a bespoke frame with a blue inner border to offset the willow and doves.