Blockhead.uk

"Breaking Free from London"

Breaking Free is a compelling series of paintings that embodies Blockhead’s personal struggle with anxiety and his yearning for liberation. The series captures his battle to escape the confines of his mind and embrace the world outside—a world brimming with beauty, opportunity, and contradictions. Each painting serves as both a deeply personal reflection and a tribute to the stark contrasts of London, a city that symbolizes both freedom and hardship.

 

For Blockhead, who grew up in the shadows of London’s wealth on a council estate, the city represents a duality. It is a place of vast beauty and untouchable luxury, yet it is also a stage for survival, struggle, and dreams deferred. These paintings feature his iconic blockhead figure, navigating a surreal version of London where iconic landmarks like Tower Bridge and the Thames rise in vibrant, exaggerated forms. The figure often stands at the edge of the city, looking outward, yearning to break free from both his mental struggles and the limitations of his upbringing.

 

The series conveys not only the pull of London’s opportunities but also the oppressive weight of its inequality. Blockhead’s loose, expressive brushstrokes capture the raw emotional tension of this push and pull. The palette alternates between cold, muted tones—representing anxiety and restraint—and bursts of warm, golden hues, symbolizing hope and the allure of freedom.

 

In one piece, the blockhead figure stands on the South Bank, gazing at the shimmering city lights reflected on the Thames, symbolizing his desire to rise above his circumstances. In another, the figure walks along the towering skyscrapers of Canary Wharf, their looming presence a testament to the wealth and power he feels so far removed from. Yet, the paintings also convey optimism, highlighting moments of serenity in London’s parks, the vastness of its skyline, and the energy of its streets.

 

Breaking Free is not just about overcoming anxiety—it is about reconciling one’s past with the promise of the future. It is a journey of personal empowerment, where the city becomes both a battleground and a symbol of potential. Through this series, Blockhead invites viewers to reflect on their own struggles and aspirations, reminding us that even in the face of fear and inequality, freedom is always within reach for those brave enough to break free.

"Breaking Free from London"

Breaking Free is a compelling series of paintings that embodies Blockhead’s personal struggle with anxiety and his yearning for liberation. The series captures his battle to escape the confines of his mind and embrace the world outside—a world brimming with beauty, opportunity, and contradictions. Each painting serves as both a deeply personal reflection and a tribute to the stark contrasts of London, a city that symbolizes both freedom and hardship.

 

For Blockhead, who grew up in the shadows of London’s wealth on a council estate, the city represents a duality. It is a place of vast beauty and untouchable luxury, yet it is also a stage for survival, struggle, and dreams deferred. These paintings feature his iconic blockhead figure, navigating a surreal version of London where iconic landmarks like Tower Bridge and the Thames rise in vibrant, exaggerated forms. The figure often stands at the edge of the city, looking outward, yearning to break free from both his mental struggles and the limitations of his upbringing.

 

The series conveys not only the pull of London’s opportunities but also the oppressive weight of its inequality. Blockhead’s loose, expressive brushstrokes capture the raw emotional tension of this push and pull. The palette alternates between cold, muted tones—representing anxiety and restraint—and bursts of warm, golden hues, symbolizing hope and the allure of freedom.

 

In one piece, the blockhead figure stands on the South Bank, gazing at the shimmering city lights reflected on the Thames, symbolizing his desire to rise above his circumstances. In another, the figure walks along the towering skyscrapers of Canary Wharf, their looming presence a testament to the wealth and power he feels so far removed from. Yet, the paintings also convey optimism, highlighting moments of serenity in London’s parks, the vastness of its skyline, and the energy of its streets.

 

Breaking Free is not just about overcoming anxiety—it is about reconciling one’s past with the promise of the future. It is a journey of personal empowerment, where the city becomes both a battleground and a symbol of potential. Through this series, Blockhead invites viewers to reflect on their own struggles and aspirations, reminding us that even in the face of fear and inequality, freedom is always within reach for those brave enough to break free.

Breaking Free in London (1)
Breaking Free in London (2)
Breaking Free in London (3)
Breaking Free in London (4)
Breaking Free in London (5)
Breaking Free in London (6)
Breaking Free in London (7)
Breaking Free in London (8)
Breaking Free in London (9)
previous arrow
next arrow