Classic De Novo

‘Watson’s painting of Matthew Mitcham is terrifically dynamic, and is immensely popular with our visitors.’

Dr Christopher Chapman, Curator, The National Portrait Gallery

De Novo translates to something new arising from something old. I'm offering a new context for the classical imagery, and exploring various contemporary themes including isolation, and the disposable society today.

The digital camera is a metaphor for our disposable society, often used with casual indifference, resulting in the stored images never being viewed again.  A hooded top: worn by so many today, they are mass produced in their millions, many discarded in a relatively short time. Contrast this with the 17th century, when everything was made by hand and consider the longevity of a painting from that era, which is treasured and passed down over centuries.