Jake Aikman's works are characterised by the mystery and ambiguity of an isolated moment, intriguing seascapes that seems to suggest something hidden in the deep of the ocean.
"Human vulnerability and awe in relation to the sea has interested me long before I picked up a brush to paint it. In my opinion the sea reminds us that we are not in control of the forces of nature, and linked to that reminder are the trials and tribulations of the individual's (viewer) life. My goal is to get under the skin or behind the veil of the purely visual experience of the image. Ultimately my wish is for the viewer to engage with what lies beneath the surface within themselves."
The mural took nine days to complete, but the experience is something Jake remembers very well because, for the first time in his entire career, his work was subject to public scrutiny:
"The early stages of a work are rarely aesthetically pleasing, and for the first time in my career I was subjected to public scrutiny of what has always been a very private experience. It was thrilling to watch and engage with people's reactions as the painting developed from rough sketch to an illusory, yet still painterly seascape."
About the artist
In 2009 Aikman exhibited in L
Anima Del Acqua: The Spirit of Water an exhibition presented as part of the 53rd Venice Biennale. He was also an invited artist for the 4th Beijing International Art Biennale and exhibited in Paralleli, an official exhibition to the 2nd Sabbionetta Biennale in 2010 and the Olympic Fine Arts exhibition Creative Cities Collection
About the project
Art United Us is an international project that collaborates through artistic and creative mediums with communities to raise public awareness and attention to the problem of war, aggression and violence. The project started in Kiev, Ukraine in the beginning of the year, is planning to complete 200 walls during the next 2 years through out the world and without boundaries. Art United Us is curated by Geo Leros and Iryna Kanishcheva.
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