Women Life Freedom (2022) Painting by Simon Houlton
Sold by Simon Houlton
This image is available for download with a licence
Sold by Simon Houlton
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Original Artwork (One Of A Kind)
Painting,
Acrylic
/
Collages
on Canvas
- Dimensions Height 31.9in, Width 24in
- Artwork's condition The artwork is in perfect condition
- Framing This artwork is not framed
- Categories Outsider Art Politics
The names on the top right are Nika Shakarami, Hadis Najafi, Mahsa Amini, and Sarina Esmailzadeh all young women aged between 16 and 22 that have been killed by the regime in Iran. That list of names is a lot longer these are just the tip of the iceberg, and the killings still continue, whilst the world looks away.
The writing on the bottom left spells out 'women, life, freedom' in Farsi, a slogan and hashtag that has become associated with the ongoing protests.
This painting is painted in solidarity with their struggles, sadness for their suffering, and awe of the bravery of the young women and men of Iran who take to the streets knowing at any moment that their lives could be taken.
زن_زندگی_آزادی
Related themes
Simon Houlton is a contemporary Turkish painter whose artistic journey is marked by a fiercely independent spirit and an aversion to conventional techniques. As a self-taught artist, Simon embraces the freedom to chart his own course through both art and life, preferring to learn from his own mistakes rather than adhere to formal instruction.
Rejecting traditional methods, Simon's work is characterized by bold experimentation and raw expression. He employs bold black lines, splashes, smears, and happy accidents to create pieces that eschew perfection in favor of authenticity. This unconventional approach, often discouraged by formal educators, allows him to convey emotions and narratives with a raw, scratchy aesthetic that resonates deeply with viewers.
Themes of introspection and human struggle permeate Simon's work, with recurring motifs of faces, fish, and skeletons. Many of his portraits serve as windows into his own psyche, capturing moments of emotional turmoil and self-reflection. Through his art, Simon seeks to confront the darker aspects of the human experience—self-doubt, despair, isolation, and societal degradation—in a manner that is both relatable and thought-provoking.
Each painting is a product of spontaneous intuition, guided by periods of silent contemplation and introspection. Simon's goal is not to create pretty or technically flawless images, but rather to evoke deep, visceral reactions in his audience. He aims to challenge societal taboos surrounding mental health and human vulnerability, inviting viewers to confront uncomfortable truths and engage in meaningful introspection. In Simon's world, art is not merely an aesthetic pursuit, but a powerful tool for confronting the complexities of the human condition.
- Nationality: UNITED KINGDOM
- Date of birth : 1975
- Artistic domains:
- Groups: Contemporary British Artists