Black hair Quote by Christopher Peachment
““And David and Goliath I have done before, but this time there is a difference. David holds the head at arm's length and looks disgusted. And onto Goliath's severed head, I put my own features. The head hangs in darkness so that the black hair and beard framing the face blend off into the shadows, and there are four thin ropes of dark blood trailing down into space from the neck. And in one eye of the freshly severed head, there is still the faint glimmer of life. That's me and that's the last painting I ever did. Spectator, viewer, audience, however you care to call yourself; I address you here, with this, my final picture. Cast a cold eye on it all, and on my work. I am still alive. ””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Artist statement, unknown venue, 2023
The speaker describes a final, macabre painting of a severed head, using it to confront mortality and invite the audience to judge the work while affirming his own life.
In simple terms: A dark artwork about death and self‑affirmation.
Key Takeaway
Embrace confronting mortality through art.
Themes
mortality
art
self‑reflection
audience
finality
Mood
somber
provocative
reflective
Type
artistic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- gallery exhibition
- private viewing
- online sharing
- art critique
- personal therapy
Key Concepts
existentialism
symbolism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What does confronting death through art reveal about you?
- How does the audience’s judgment affect the artist’s sense of life?
A Different Perspective
The graphic imagery may alienate or traumatize viewers, limiting its impact.
![“It was the face that disturbed me. The artist had lit it in such a way that it appeared very strong, actually, to my mind, brutal. The nose was long and thin, the full underlip protruberant [sic], and the blue eyes icy cold. There was a great deal of pride in his look - more than pride, arrogance…” quote by Barbara Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/883/barbara-cohen-28364_art_it-was-the-face-that-disturbed-me-the-ar_1149815.jpg)
![“Faced with the blazing magnificence of the everyday, the artist is both humbled and provoked. There are photographs now of events on an unimaginable scale [...] When we look at these images, there is, yes, legitimate wonderment at our own lengthening reach and grasp. But it would be vain indeed to…” quote by Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/12f/salman-rushdie-153_art_faced-with-the-blazing-magnificence-of-t_1334879.jpg)
