The Abyssal Wolpertinger (crisensus Bavaricus) dwells in the dark wooded recesses of hidden valleys, lost frontiers and dis-used climbers’ huts; once a creature that roamed extensively in the sprawling Hercynian forest of Eurasia- they are now seldom seen. Instead they have retreated to their alpine chasm and cliff top last redoubts, clinging on where only climbers and the odd lost rambler dare to tread. There only known relatives in the natural world being a Norwegian cousin, the Lemming – that every year throws itself off cliffs in vast numbers to certain death – all for unknown reasons. The wolpertinger is for me both the starting point and the end game to my recent paintings – a salvationist not a fatalist as the lemmings. After stumbling upon them on numerous wanderings through the Alps, but never getting a good enough look – I finally managed to capture a few shots near the konigssee, by luring a small pack out of a spruce thicket to nibble on my lunch of bauernschmaus. For me they represent the the uncatergorised and undiscovered in nature – hinting at what could be if you wander down the wrong track.
Alex Heaton 2010
Alex’s show runs: 21 July 10 - 13 September 10
Preview : 20 July 10 from 6.30pm
For further details please contact: habda@medcalfbar.co.uk
