"The Back Paddock", Matte Canvas Fine Art Print

"Exclusive Design by Artist Archie Kilmor"

Experience the profound artistry of "The Back Paddock" by Archie Kilmor, a piece that resonates with themes of memory, identity, and ancestral connection. This artwork, featuring a silhouetted child and horse against a textured barn backdrop, captures a moment of stillness and reflection, symbolizing Kilmor's deep connection to his childhood and Gaelic heritage.

Celebrate the timeless connection between past and present with "The Back Paddock," a piece that not only decorates but also tells a story of heritage and personal growth. Available exclusively on the 'hebrides.art' web store.

Matte Canvas Specifications

• Material: Made with a highly durable cotton and polyester canvas composite (9.82 oz/yd² or 333 g/m²) with a special proprietary coating for vibrant prints that last.
• Eco-Friendly: This canvas is an eco-friendly option as the frame is made with radiata pine responsibly sourced from renewable forests.
• Support: Hang the frame with confidence as the soft rubber dots in the back corners of the frame provide ample support and a stable result.
• Hanging: Each matte canvas comes with back hanging already included for convenient placement.
• Note: Due to the production process of the canvases, please allow for slight size deviations with a tolerance of +/- 1/8" (3.2mm).
• Sizes: Available in multiple vertical sizes to suit any space: 12″ x 18″, 20″ x 30″, 24″ x 36″

Use of Light and Color

Light plays a crucial role in this piece, with the sun casting dramatic rays through the horse's head, creating a striking visual metaphor for enlightenment or revelation. The choice of a predominantly green and yellow color palette evokes a natural, earthy atmosphere, further emphasizing the connection to the land and rural life. The contrast between the bright, almost ethereal light and the dark silhouettes underscores the themes of contrast and duality present in the work.

Symbolism and Interpretation

"The Back Paddock" can be interpreted through various lenses. The silhouetted child and horse suggest themes of innocence, companionship, and the bond between humans and animals. The use of the barn as a backdrop may symbolize shelter, history, and the passage of time. The grid-like pattern within the horse could represent the intrusion of modernity or a connection to the past, as if the horse is a window into another time or reality, as is a commonly held Gaelic belief for the 'Liminal Hour'.

Kilmor's choice to obscure the child's face invites viewers to project their own experiences and memories onto the figure, making the piece more relatable and personal. The child's stance, looking towards the horse, suggests a moment of reflection or longing, perhaps for a simpler, more honest time in his life, entwined with his Ancestral Past.

The horse is a personal connection to Kilmor's childhood, reflecting his experiences of regularly riding horses. More importantly, it symbolizes his most ancient ancestral connection with Hebrides, highlighting his journey of reconnecting with his roots through research, oral tradition and inner reflections since his earliest memories to the present.

A Critical Appraisal of "The Back Paddock"

"The Back Paddock" by Archie Kilmor is an evocative piece that deftly merges historical nostalgia with a surreal, almost dreamlike quality. The use of layered textures and the interplay between light and shadow create a rich, immersive visual experience. This artwork explores themes of memory, identity, and the intersection of human and natural worlds, while also drawing deeply personal connections to Kilmor's own life and heritage.

Composition and Technique

The composition is dominated by a silhouetted figure of a child and a horse, set against the backdrop of an old structure, possibly a barn or farmhouse. The positioning of the figures suggests a moment frozen in time, invoking a sense of stillness and contemplation. The building's textured walls and the detailed rendering of the grass add depth and dimension to the piece.

Kilmor employs a mixed-media approach, blending digital manipulation with traditional artistic techniques. The overlay of textures and patterns on the building and figures creates a tapestry-like effect, reminiscent of both photographic and painted mediums. This layering technique enhances the artwork's complexity, drawing viewers into its intricate details.

Context and Historical Significance

Archie Kilmor, known for his deep connection to his Gaelic roots and his commitment to cultural and active environmental restoration, imbues "The Back Paddock" with a sense of place and identity. This piece can be seen as a commentary on the preservation of heritage and the importance of understanding and respecting one's origins. The artwork aligns with Kilmor's broader mission of healing Earth's scars and uplifting Gaelic Cultural Pride, reflecting his personal journey and the universal quest for one's true purpose and Self.

EU representative: Not Hunters Art, nothuntersart.usa@gmail.com, 16 Springvale Street, Gold Coast, QLD, 4226, AU

Product information: Generic brand, 2 year warranty in EU and Northern Ireland as per Directive 1999/44/EC

Care instructions: If the canvas does gather any dust, you may wipe it off gently with a clean, damp cloth.