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I was fortunate enough to get involved in a few painting classes whilst in hospital which was led by Professional Artist Rachel Gadsden. The theme being ‘Disability and what it’s like to be Human’. I decided to focus my painting on a true life love story which happened in this very same hospital. I used Chinese symbolism and copied a tattoo design which I like as a mode to convey this story
During the 1960s a couple of patients fell in love In Stoke Mandeville hospital. They were both paralysed and on leaving hospital really wanted to live together. Well the authorities (of this period) said that it would be impossible even for one paralysed person to live alone without help and no way would they allow two people with this condition to live together. The authorities tried to separate them and put them into different care homes where they would never see each other. Well they persevered and fought a hard fight and eventually managed to defy authority and gain their own home together, got married and lived happily ever after
The Chinese symbology is of the Chinese Dragon Gate Legend. It’s the story of thousands of Koi fish swimming upstream together against a strong current.
The Chinese symbology is of the Chinese Dragon Gate Legend. It’s the story of thousands of Koi fish swimming upstream together against a strong current. They eventually reached a huge waterfall where most Koi turned around and gave up. However a few perservered for hundreds of years and eventually managed to jump up the waterfall where the gods awarded them by turning them into the most auspicious creature in Chinese legend a Dragon Koi.
I admit that I stole the design from a tattoo which I really like. However I desided to use symbolic colours as to the hospital couples love story. The Koi fights upstream meaning it is still fighting a battle against adversity and obsticles but is courages and strong which I feel myself as I am now paralysed. The white head with red spots represents the couples love and passion for each other which gave them the will for the battle.
The blue I chose because I liked the colour but it also means the tranquillity and harmony which the couple acheived after the fight as they won against all odds.
The Reward of becoming a Dragon symbolises the Koi and the couple of lovers overcoming the difficulties faced against all odds to reach it’s\their Destiny and also a rebirth and new life/beginning.
Think that it’s going to be in an exhibition along with work by others with disabilities. I haven’t painted untill very recently but enjoyed doing it as it helped chill me out at a time where I felt frustrated with people in authority myself. I may get this done as a tattoo.