A Mural by O.Z. Bhatia

'Romanistan'
2.6 x 19 metres,
Acrylics, blood, sweat, tears,
Bódvalenke Freskófalu, Lenke-Land, Hungary, October 2013AD.
Executed with the valued assistance of The Venus Envy.

So here you have it, the results of a 3,300 mile round-trip into the swamps of Lenke Land to paint the mural entitled 'Romanistan'. It took me precisely two weeks, painting between 5-8 hours per day. Much thigh-squatting, artist-hanging, leg-dangling, bag-hoisting, scaffold-scraping and brush-stroking was needed to complete this epic painting which to date is very probably my most important work of art. I'd like to acknowledge a huge debt of gratitude to my family, supporters, patrons and mural-commissioners for facilitating the creation of Romanistan.

While there, I also wrote 7 poems documenting our strange and beautiful experiences in Bódvalenke, a Romungro Roma pocket of rurality...but those transcriptions are for another time.

***

A little about the subject of the mural - Romanistan is about the journey of the Roma people through vast oceans of time, space and culture. It depicts an intrepid migration, from the evil gods and palaces of a Hellish world to Utopia, presented as an idyllic hilltop town under the protective watch of benevolent deities. The mural is divided in half, the left side being the darkworld, the right, being a land of happiness and light. The portrait of the man in the centre straddles both the darkworld and the light but the eyes look towards a brighter future.

Omar Zingaro Bhatia, 7th October 2013AD

Temporary Absence

By the time you read this I'll be gone to complete a two week mural commission in the far North of Hungary. Of course, this means that you won't see anything from me for the duration of my trip. With that in mind, I leave you with this tantalizing still image, taken on set of WAITRESS the film on one of the final days shooting. The shot was taken by Grant Lynch of The Aperturists videography duo and post-edited a little by myself. I have a few secret projects in motion at the moment but for now, that's all folks!

Image by Grant Lynch of The Aperturists.

Generation Blank

Generation Blank, 10"x12", paint on LP, 2013AD. £120

The Maximalist's critique of Minimalsim. A lament for the great post-modern schisms of construction and deconstruction, creation and destruction, the tangible and the aesthetics of nothingness. This painting is painted on a 1970's LP record cover and comes complete with record inside. Sharpen the needle. 

'Romanistan' Mural Commission

Readers, I share with you exciting news. I shared a post many moons ago about how I'd been invited to a small Predominantly Roma (Gypsy) village on the Hungarian/Ukrainian border...well there were funding complications and I came to believe that it was a dream that I'd never come to realise. All this changed a couple of weeks ago when the project was given the green light again. By creating this Fresco Village, the idea is to turn a deeply impoverished community into a place where people are no longer marginalised, no longer misrepresented and no longer viewed as the outsider. We hope that the art on offer there will help boost a struggling rural economy and help empower Roma people. To date, there have been about 30 murals completed from artists from all over Europe. I leave with my assistant for the village of Bodvalenke in September 2013. Below you will see my preliminary sketches. I will of course share the results upon my return.   

X marks the spot.

Bodvalenke Women's Choir in front of one of the existing murals.

Initial sketch.

Refined sketch ready for colouring.

Coloured sketch experiment.

After playing around with some ideas I started (and finished) the final coloured sketch that is to form the basis of my 80 sq m mural....yes you heard right, eighty beautiful squared metres. Here it is in all its glory. Click to enlarge. 

Niet Mondrian

Niet Mondrian, 12"x13", acrylics & inks, 2013AD. £190

I've searched the wastes of the internet, both high and low and I can confirm that I am the only person in the entire [online] world to have come up with this pun...and that is a Zingaro guarantee. This lovingly rendered original artwork comes framed in a handsome Thai Teak frame. 

Southall Broadway

Located in the south-west of London, Southall has got to be one of the most interesting districts in Britain. Famous for having the largest concentration of South Asian people outside of the Indian Subcontinent, Southall is full of brilliant and marvellous things. Here are a few historical facts: At one time it was home to one of the worlds largest Asylums, known as Hanwell. During the war, it was heavily bombed by the Nazis and in the 1970's a massive race-riot broke out after the murder of teenager Gurdeep Singh Chagaar. A tavern (now closed) known as The Glassy Junction was the first pub in England to accept both pounds and rupees. In July 2013 I spent two days wandering its streets with a camera, attempting to capture the everyday thrall of the UK's most multicultural quarter. 

Asian Musical Instrument Shop.

Haberdashers Emporium. 

Street Scene.

Hijabs.

Fruitier.

Multi-faith Funeral Directors.

Tabla Repairsman.

Family Business.

Mango Vendor.

Video Store.

The Infamous Himalaya Palace (former cinema).

Colourful Indian Bus.

Problems Problems.

The Wandering Ascetic of Southall.

Logan-San

Logan-San, 12"x16", acrylics on box-canvas, 2013AD. £200

Portencross

Not For Rental

The Layout

  

Smokin Lights, 12x20x3cm, graphite, biro & watercolour on VHS. SOLD

This is my contribution to the Not For Rental project which will open on the 4th of July in Shoreditch London. My piece is based on the cult horror film Coven which was directed by Mark Borchardt. This 34 minute short rose to cult status when the story of Borchardt and the making of Coven was immortalised in the hilarious yet tragic documentary American Movie. In it we see Mark embark on a fanatic 10-year struggle to make his film. Despite many setbacks, including huge debt, family problems and substance-abuse, his remarkable passion guides him through to it's eventual completion. Borchardt is America. See the trailer for it below:

Not For Rental is on from the 4th to the 13th of July and is being held at 71a Gallery, 71A Leonard St. EC2A 4QS. All profits go to Macmillan Cancer Support and Art Against Knives. 

Leith Walk Barbers Salon

All photos by Ross Fraser McLean of StudioRoRo. 

Pop down to have a look in person...and get a haircut while you're at it! I plan on leaving this show hung until mid-July. You'll find it at 280 Leith Walk, Edinburgh. 

Victoria

Victoria - Fixer, 9"x11", watercolours & inks, 2013AD. £150

The Courier

Norocco - Courier, 11x15cm, acrylics & ink, 2013AD. SOLD

Leith Late 2013

Those of you in situ, those of you mobile and those of you passing, pop down, pop along and pop past to this years Leith Late. I'm going to be putting on the show at venue no.12 (Leith Walk Barber's Salon).

Here's an idea as to what exactly I'm talking about: "Leith Late is committed to celebrating Leith's vibrant cultural community by showcasing local and international talent across art spaces and businesses, all situated within the locality of Leith Walk.

Leith late returns in 2013 on Thursday 13th June, full info now available HERE" 

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The Farm

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InsideZone

Poster by Анна Неизвестнова.

BACK TO BORSEC

Those of you who've followed my exploits will be aware of how important it is for the health of my artistic soul for it to be on the road, to be free.  Last year I spent 5 weeks travelling through Romania and ended up in Istanbul, Turkey. In two weeks time I'm heading for the mountains of Transylvania to take up residency for the second consecutive year in the strange and wonderful environs of Borsec. The capital I make from you, yes you, buying my paintings funds such experiences and acts to enrich my creative practice. Please have a look at my work for sale >>>---------->  HERE. Your support ensures I am able to continue moving onward.

Sheppard Boy 2012AD.

Meadow of the Faeries, Borsec 2012AD.

Chopping logs for the fires of creation.

THANKS / OZB