Winston    
     
 
 
         
   

The English bulldog, valiant symbol of our nation. It was impossible for me when painting a bull dog not to think of all the associated ideas around his image. First of all as a symbol of nationalism. How did he become England's representative? Of all the dogs to choose, a dog that was bred for bull baiting. The bull dog was renowned for his tenacious personality and his refusal to let go, an awesome fighter, but what of the bull dog now, bred for the ring rather than the pit, and how does it reflect on him as England's mascot?

For me there is something intrinsically humorous about the bull dog, with his stocky little legs, thick chest, pushed in nose, and protruding bottom jaw. He is a geezer, and if he was a bloke, you can imagine he would like a few pints down the pub, watching the footie, and finishing up with a curry at the end of the evening. So here we have a dog who has come from his blood origins to be a figure of fun, a docile family pet, yet the image of him is still charged with history.

The bull dog is commonly seen placed in front of the English flag, which in this combination is generally associated with the far right. I had the idea that it would be interesting to place him in front of some combat material, which apart from it's link with the army, has become a part of urban fashion. I wanted the image to represent a certain bellicose element that there is in our culture, and for the final twist of irony, a jingoistic title of Winston.

   
     
     
     
     
     
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   
    Winston    
     
 
 
         
   

The English bulldog, valiant symbol of our nation. It was impossible for me when painting a bull dog not to think of all the associated ideas around his image. First of all as a symbol of nationalism. How did he become England's representative? Of all the dogs to choose, a dog that was bred for bull baiting. The bull dog was renowned for his tenacious personality and his refusal to let go, an awesome fighter, but what of the bull dog now, bred for the ring rather than the pit, and how does it reflect on him as England's mascot?

For me there is something intrinsically humorous about the bull dog, with his stocky little legs, thick chest, pushed in nose, and protruding bottom jaw. He is a geezer, and if he was a bloke, you can imagine he would like a few pints down the pub, watching the footie, and finishing up with a curry at the end of the evening. So here we have a dog who has come from his blood origins to be a figure of fun, a docile family pet, yet the image of him is still charged with history.

The bull dog is commonly seen placed in front of the English flag, which in this combination is generally associated with the far right. I had the idea that it would be interesting to place him in front of some combat material, which apart from it's link with the army, has become a part of urban fashion. I wanted the image to represent a certain bellicose element that there is in our culture, and for the final twist of irony, a jingoistic title of Winston.