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Alex Davern |
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Jasmine Blachford – Artrepreneur
Usually I depict people I love. I do not even know Rudie Sypkes. I merely know of him, and something about him. This time, this is exactly why I chose to paint his picture. I wanted to paint someone who would be recognisable to a number of Tasmanian viewers and not to others; to leave people with the feeling, “I think I’ve seen that person somewhere before. Who is it? Where are they from?” And maybe, “Oh yes, that’s it!” I decided that Tasmanian businessman Rudie Sypkes, founder of Chickenfeed bargain stores, could be just the person: Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic; regular in The Mercury; member of Rotary; property owner; churchgoer; dad. When I contemplated painting Rudie, I was particularly excited at the prospect of exploring the contrast and the correlation between the fine artist and the business entrepreneur. The obvious difference between paint-smeared garments and crisp suits, orderly office and chaotic studio: costumes and set, masking the same demand for creativity, self-discipline, passion, and thoughts of the consumer. This is the idea behind the name of the painting, Artrepreneur. Born in the Netherlands, Rudie reflects the cultural diversity of Tasmania. This is not immediately evident in the painting; obscured by pinks, creams and peachy whites – the primarily monotone colour of the collective Tasmanian skin. Rudie is Tasmanian, not because he has been here for generations, but because Tasmania bears his mark. He has signed his name in the economic and social history of the place as an artist does a canvas. The fact that Rudie is suffering from a lung disease played no part in my decision to paint him. It did, however, influence my feelings when creating the piece, contributing to the significance of the image, which will perhaps outlive the man. Rudie Sypkes passed away on 8th February 2008.
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