$3
 
         
 
title:
   AIN'T HOCKNEY  
         
 
artist:
   Erik Maldre  
         
 
size:
   5" x 7"  
         
 
date:
   4/2006  
         
 
medium:
   acrylic paint on Nielsen Bainbridge all-black matboard  
         
 
original:
   This is an original painting, not a reproduction.  
         
 
series:
   This painting is part of a series. The edition number is featured on the front. Each painting in the series is being sold starting with 001. The number painting you receive depends on how many paintings were previously sold in this specific series.

The only difference between paintings in the series is the number itself. Each painting in the series is acrylic on 5x7" Nielsen Bainbridge all-black matboard with the same block lettering treatment.		  
         
         
 
back side:
   The painting will be shipped "postcard-style" with the recipient's address written on the back accompanied by the artist's signature, postage and return address. This adds a personal touch the piece.

It also adds more life into the painting. The overall feel of the series is raw. The white paint is applied in a gritty manner. The black matboard is scratched and weathered. The process of traveling through the postal system will enhance the raspy nature of the painting.		  
         
              
 
artist's statement:
   The "AIN'T" series is a study on the dynamics found in education.

The materials used in the "AIN'T" series refer to elements of education. The rounded and aged, scratched black matboard is strongly reminiscent of black chalk boards used in schools. The white acrylic paint is applied in such a way to imply chalk lines that form basic letters. The hanging hole (punched in the top center of the painting) takes inspiration from signs hung in classrooms. The size, 5 by 7 inches, refers to the size of flashcards used for learning mathematics.

These basic elements (white paint representing chalk, black mat board representing chalkboard, etc.) are the means by which the message is displayed much as chalkboards are the means by which teachers educate their students.

The message found on the "AIN'T" series can be interpreted as teacher teaching or as student questioning or more exactly: a combination of both.

A good teacher often will not simply state the clear and concise answer immediately. They encourage their students to learn the answers. Acting as the teacher, I encourage the viewer to explore why I say "AIN'T HOCKNEY" and "AIN'T POLLOCK", etc. Is it a self-portrait? Am I talking about someone else? Am I implying the name on the painting is not something or has not done something?

A good student is always inquisitive. They ask questions and make bold statements forcing the teacher to sometimes explore regions they perhaps never encountered before; which is also the role the teacher plays by initially challenging the student. It is this dynamic exchange that is the core of this series.

The challenge I bring to the viewer (as student or as teacher) is further emphasized by the lack of punctuation and capitalization. It leaves intrepretation for whether this is a sentence, part of a sentence, question or part of a question.

And perhaps I am not even referencing the famous artist that one may easily assume is involved! There are no first names mentioned.

The simplicity of the presentation of the message is merely white block letters on a black background. Yet the message is not as clear as black and white. Each viewer will experience the painting in a different way which hopefully will be shared with others.
  
         
         
 
THERE'S MORE:
   MORE PAINTINGS ARE FOR SALE IN THE UNLIKELY MOOSE EBAY STORE. CLICK HERE.  
         
 
about Erik Maldre:
   Thirty year-old Erik was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Illinois Wesleyan University. He now resides in a western suburb of Chicago with his wife and a groundhog who lives under the porch.

Visit Erik's website, unlikelymoose.com, to get a better understanding of his work.		  
         
 
copyright:
   All artwork by Erik Maldre is copyrighted and may not be produced in any form without his written permission. All rights of reproduction will stay with Erik Maldre.  
         
         
 
payment:
   Auction to be paid for within 10 days of the close of the auction or I may choose to re-list if payment is not made (unless you are paying via check or money order.)  
         
 
payment methods:
   PayPal, cashiers check, money order, or personal/business checks.  
         
 
shipping:
   $0.39
The buyer pays $0.39 for shipping costs. The painting will be shipped "postcard-style". The shipping address will be written on the back of the painting. This adds a personal touch for the owner of the painting and enhances the gritty style of the painting.

For domestic shipping, items will be shipped within 3-5 business days AFTER PAYMENT HAS CLEARED. (Personal checks take a little bit of time to clear.) Items are shipped via USPS Priority Mail Ground. For international orders (including Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada), please contact me.