A line from a song by The Fall. A sentiment I felt keenly at art school, and often since in the Art World. I feel that beyond certain posturing and clothes and haircuts, most of the art students/artists I have known are deeply conventional. The real weirdos don’t look like they are. Same in art; the straightest things can be the strangest.

I thought maybe rabbits lacked mystery but now I’m not so sure …inscrutable unchangeable faces, expressionless. Sweet, fluffy, wallpaper for the nursery….I find them sinister. Overpopulation, disease. I kept them shadowy shapes.
There was an art school drawing trip to the zoo. I made drawings imagined from the animals point of view. “ ok thats Interesting but you haven’t followed the brief have you?”

No, I suppose I hadn’t. But That came back into mind making this work. A thought coming full circle.
Matisse drew rabbits.

And remember there was that a painting of rabbits at Frieze Masters by Giacomo Nani (1698-1755). A very staged painting, influenced by Poussin I’d say. It was compelling and terrible. I jostled to see it with small mob of Italian collectors, who pointed and giggled like school children at the central shagging rabbits.
“cosa stai facendo dopo l’orgia?"