The Russian-Ukraine War 2022, Michael Beamish (#086)

The Russian-Ukraine War, 2022
Michael Beamish
Acrylic
800mm x 600mm x 3mm Dibond

Artists Statement:

I commenced on this abstract work on 24^th February 2022, the date of the Russian invasion of Ukraine depicting the carnage and destruction of modern warfare.

Putin’s invasion of the Ukraine has an un-canny similarity to Hitler’s invasion of Poland in 1939, resulting in WW2 and the first use of nuclear weapons against the Japanese in 1945, that if used in any future conflict, could lead to a mutually assured destruction of the world as we know it.

Artist Biography:

I am a latecomer to Art having been trained as a medical doctor and only dabbled in painting until quite recently. I’m initially from the UK and my early years were spent in research in Cardiff and then the US that resulted in the discovery of ferritin in patient’s serum and is now a widely used test for iron assessment of iron status. (Ref. 1)

I migrated with my family some 50 years ago to a better life here in Launceston and have until recently worked as a Haematologist for Sonic pathology, a laboratory that I helped start some 46 years ago.

I started serious painting 7 years ago using syringes, rollers and drip methods to apply acrylic paints on MDF board which resulted in some interesting and dynamic works reflecting my long-held interest in astronomy and the cosmos.

It became apparent to me that I would never have artistic credibility whilst painting in isolation and so decided to enrol in a BFA with UTAS here in Launceston as a very mature aged student.

My art has been influenced by my Science, laboratory and hospital background in a number of ways but chiefly in addressing the ‘why’ and ‘how’ and an inquisitiveness that happily blends with my expressive Art works.

The work above, painted in 2018 addresses universal issues both time, space and movement governed by the laws of physics.

I also mention my ferritin work above because the finding of something new is essentially same creative act as that of artistic creativity.

Reference.

1)   A rapid method for the detection of ferritin in serum;
Beamish, M.R., Llewellin, P., Jacobs, A., Brit. J. Clin. Path.,1971, 24, 581.