Lot 219: STEPHEN J. ARTHURS, "OH TO BE A BIRD ON HIGH, TO SOAR ABOVE MAN'S DOMESTIC DESTRUCTION, OR TO BE THAT 'BIRD OF PEACE' TO HERALD THE VOICE 'STOP!'...BUT I FLAP ON, I FLAP ON...", acrylic on canvas, 39 1/4 ins x 31 1/4 ins; 98.1 cms x 78.1 cms

STEPHEN J. ARTHURS, "OH TO BE A BIRD ON HIGH, TO SOAR ABOVE MAN'S DOMESTIC DESTRUCTION, OR TO BE THAT 'BIRD OF PEACE' TO HERALD THE VOICE 'STOP!'...BUT I FLAP ON, I FLAP ON...", acrylic on canvas; signed. 39 1/4 ins x 31 1/4 ins; 98.1 cms x 78.1 cms. Note: The artist has described the use of the aerial view within his works, stating that "the image, content and perspective are derived from a matrix or series of levels of understanding. We experience this aerial view as a sum of those understandings brought together to make the matrix. On one level, we experience something in this view of our early childhood, playing with lead soldiers in a sandbox. On this level of understanding, we experience the relationship of children to their toys, the sense of manipulation and control, and how we come to experience our world through interaction. The next level extends naturally out of this by viewing the aerial battle in terms of God and man, the relationship of man to deity. From this perspective we ask questions related to destiny, fate, life and death and thus theology and philosophy now enter into the image. Viewing my works on the third level as one of the dead leaving the field of battle we examine existentialism, the metaphysical, life beyond death and the esoteric. The fourth level views the work as a time traveler. In looking back in time we enter the realm of quantum leaps and special equations of time travel and ultimately the questioning of our own existence - its shape and reality. The fifth level deals with the perspective of the cannonball at the apex of its arc. It hovers briefly for just a split second before its earthbound descent. I leave it to you to explore the implications of the fifth meaning." "Oh To Be A Bird On High..." was painted by the artist during 1991 and 1992 in France. Following its completion, the painting was included in a touring exhibition of the country, with stops in Caen, Rouen, Dieppe, Honfleur, Amiens and Paris. The painting has also been exhibited throughout southern Ontario, including the Art Gallery of Hamilton; Hamilton Artist Inc.; Jackson Square, Hamilton; City Centre Plaza, Hamilton; and the Central Public Library in London.