This was painted after camping at Uig bay,Lewis,Outer Hebrides,way out in the Atlantic off Northern Scotland,where the Lewis Chess pieces were discovered. The chess pieces are medieval,probably Norse, carved out of walrus ivory,some painted red, the others left white.
I like them because the movement of the lines etched into the ivory and the faces staring out trancelike remind me of early icons.I also like them because there is a sense of humour in them that undermines their competitive purpose. The knights sit on tiny shetland ponies instead of spirited horses. Some of the rooks are biting their shields and not heroic.The King is immobile with tiny feet peeping out beneath his robes.The Queen has one hand up to her cheek and the other holds a horn,perhaps a drinking vessel like the cornucopia.
There is a sense of mutual partnership in this painting of checkmate with weapons drawn.
That year I was in Lewis to see a band called the Cult play.Boatloads of black dressed goths and punks with mohecan haircuts arrived to find accommodation with elderly islanders.It was like another game of chess with two extremes meeting.
