Elliot Nehra / Fine Art Painting BA(Hons)

My works reflects on my everyday lifestyle and experiences. Through the use of iconography and metaphor, a visual language of communication is created, which serves as a pictorial dairy between myself and the world around me. The subjects within the works are relatable and simple yet they create openings to multiple realms of interpretation and imagination. Through questioning the definition of an ‘honest life’, the works aim to challenge but also accept the tension between normality and insanity. ‘My work also explores themes of self-acceptance and expression which communicates between the struggles of mental health, self-doubt and addiction. Through doing this, themes of loneliness and claustrophobia are accompanied by a commentary of misunderstanding towards the outside world. This sense of frustration and loneliness is recognisable in the imagery and the titling of the works. The paintings included in this exhibition are somewhat chilling and melancholic, yet there are hints of humour and wit that aim to bring light to the situations within the works. Using both reality and imagination, I am able to capture moments of importance and significance that depict memories, scenes and occurrences that have shaped me as a human being. Sex and Drugs are not celebrated; however, they are endured as an honest reminder and reflection to the things we are not proud of. The thin red line between peace and chaos is apparent in the nature of the work, where simple everyday objects become accompanied by the ‘dirtier’, less stylised one. Burnt out cigarettes become the perfect home for your Grandmas favourite teacup.

 

Painting of red tea cup and cigarettes
Cigarettes and tea for tea (2020)

 

Painting of slipper and red lipstick
Cindys Lost Slipper (2020)

 

Painting of two severed feet
Feet off the table (2020)

 

Painting of brown boot
Flies gathering around a one night stand

 

Painting of a gun and glass
Triggerless revolver at 3am (2020)