Difficulties and horrors of life shown in cells of an underground grotto. Gouache by W. Kurelek, ca. 1953-1954.

  • Kurelek, William, 1927-1977.
Date:
[between approximately 1953 and 1954]
Reference:
3025695i
Part of:
Adamson Collection
  • Pictures

About this work

Also known as

Known from lettering on one of the five notices in the picture as : I spit on life

Description

Thirteen interconnected scenes, here identified by numbers 1-13 (not numbered on the painting). Top left, four people arguing with each other in the open air (1). They are linked by a chain to the first of several cells acting as underground prisons in a stone dwelling. In the cell nearest the outside (2), two people are trying to force shut the lid of a coffin containing a manacled person who is resisting. In the cell below them (3), a farmer is trying to control a recalcitrant horse dragging a hay stack on a sledge. Above are three interconnected cells: a man digging flaming clods from a field (4), a man studying in a library (5), and a man sawing a tree trunk (6). Top right, a man carrying a pot of paint tiptoes away from a signboard that he has written (7), and below, a big turkey watching its offspring sleeping in a cot in a squalid room (8). Top right, a fractious family at table: a snake is coming out of the woman's mouth (9). Centre right, a manacled person performing obeisance to a draped skeleton (10). Along the bottom (left to right): a man scarifying his arms with a razor blade (11); a man imprisoned in a pit and a man hanged from a tree in the same pit (12). In the centre, a manacled man, seated, is reflected in a succession of mirrors (13)

Publication/Creation

[Netherne, Surrey], [between approximately 1953 and 1954]

Physical description

1 painting : gouache ; sight 63.5 x 94 cm

Lettering

Inscribed notices are shown in five of the individual scenes. At the bottom, in the front, is a large notice which seems to describe the whole painting: "Notice: The animals to be seen in this grotto are of a freak species found in a Canadian jungle. The origins of its habits have been depicted in each case for the interest of visitors. Beware: these animals have self-pitying suicidal tendancies [sic]. Visitors are requested not to humour their egoism." The signboard at the top (7) starts: "Gone to church". The hate-filled family (9) dine in front of a notice saying "Honor thy father and mother. Home sweet home.": the notice is displayed in a religious frame. The skeleton (10) holds a notice inscribed "Go away! You don't exist.". The man standing in the pit (12) carries sandwich boards inscribed "Free! (Take one, or else.) Now available here in illustrated book form. "My lost youth", a play based on the real life story 'Life was beautiful'." In his right hand he holds the play "... lost youth ... William Kurelek". Kurelek's name is written in tiny letters as the name of the author of the play. The hanged man on the lower right has a notice inscribed "I spit on life" suspended from his neck

Creator/production credits

Executed by William Kurelek at Netherne Hospital in Surrey, with support from Edward Adamson

References note

Andrew Kear, William Kurelek: life and work, Toronto: Art Canada Institute, 2017, pp. 76, 83

Reference

Wellcome Collection 3025695i

Terms of use

Copyright the estate of William Kurelek

Languages

Holdings

  • painting and frame

Where to find it

  • the painting, framed in a new frame with glass

    LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores
    By appointmentManual request

    Note

  • the original frame and glass

    LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores
    By appointmentManual request

    Note

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