Thursday, October 13, 2011

Josh Kirby - The Voyage Of The Ayeguy, 1980

Josh Kirby - The Voyage Of The Ayeguy (Departure) 1980Departure

Josh Kirby - The Voyage Of The Ayeguy (Arrival Of The Ark) 1980Arrival Of The Ark

Josh Kirby - The Voyage Of The Ayeguy (Adoration Of The Imag) 1980Adoration Of The Imag

Josh Kirby - The Voyage Of The Ayeguy (Death Of A Spaceman) 1980Death Of A Spaceman

Josh Kirby - The Voyage Of The Ayeguy (Deposition) 1980Deposition

Josh Kirby - The Voyage Of The Ayeguy (Ascension) 1980Ascension

Josh Kirby - The Voyage Of The Ayeguy (Title Page) 1980

"Voyage of the Ayeguy is a series of paintings of deep personal significance to Kirby, widely regarded as his tour de force. The paintings chart the epic voyage of ambassadors from the Ayeguy civilisation commanded to: 'Go, civilise the savage planets!' in their spaceship, the Ark. The biblical parallels are overt: the central traveller is Kirby’s idealistic ‘Christ’ figure, Jay Zuzz.

Initially separate paintings, by the third a thread emerged. An American commission to publish six works as a portfolio (1980) accelerated the project and Kirby wrote an accompanying text. He added new paintings right up to the time of his death.

Each scene presents challenge, confrontation and emotion as the spaceman protagonist pursues his mission across a strange planet. They are masterpieces of baroque composition, complex allegories orchestrated in rich colour and detail, combining the influences of Hieronymous Bosch, Pieter Breugel, Rubens and the muralist Frank Brangwyn." - quote source

Many thanks to David T. Alexander Collectibles for the scans.

This portfolio of amazing Josh Kirby prints is for sale on their site here.


See more of Kirby's art here.

1 comment:

Linda Lu said...

These are stunning!!!!