In memory of Polly or The big red painting - by Paul Godden
Acrylic on canvas, 70cm x 70cm x 4cm.
Signed, dated and titled on the back of the canvas.
This painting has two titles because it has two indentities. It is called the big red painting for obvious reasons and the title suits it well but its original title was "In memory of Polly". Polly refers to Mary Ann (Polly) Nichols who is generally considered to be the first victim of Jack the ripper. When I painted the base red for this painting it was so red I immediately thought of blood and Jack came to mind, whilst applying the several coats required to achieve a full flat colour the film From hell came on the TV. Some how the painting became part of the Jack the ripper story. I had to go off and research the subject to ease my mind about the painting and found a good site called Casebook: Jack the ripper which provided the information I needed and from there I read about Polly. I didn't want the painting to somehow become a tribute to Jack and felt that it was more important to remember the victims. I could never sell this painting and in fact didn't think anyone would own it except myself but as chance will have it the right owner has come along and so it will now hang on someone elses wall.
Please note this painting has some silver colour and so catches the light. The front photograph presents this more accurately.
