Article of the week - number sixty-seven - Apollo and Daphne by Ian Hamilton Finlay
Ian Hamilton Finlay was born in the Bahamas and educated in Scotland where he created poetry, stories, prints, and gardens.
In this work, entitled Apollo and Daphne, the figure of Daphne is seen transforming into a laurel tree, as related in the Greek legend which you can read here. The print was also conceived as a wall painting which you can see here in an exhibition in 2014. The grey squares on each end of the wall painting hold these words:
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AND EVEN AS SHE FLED SHE CHARMED HIM THE WIND BLEW HER GARMENTS AND HER HAIR STREAMED LOOSE SO FLEW THE GOD AND THE NYMPH - HE ON THE WINGS OF LOVE AND SHE ON THOSE OF FEAR
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AND EVEN AS SHE FLED THE REPUBLIC CHARMED HIM THE WIND BLEW HER GARMENTS AND HER HAIR STREAMED LOOSE SO FLEW THE YOUNG REVOLUTIONARY AND THE SHY REPUBLIC - HE ON THE WINGS OF LOVE AND SHE ON THOSE OF FEAR
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The two figures were also printed onto banners, seen here in various galleries showing the artist's work.