Ben Davies-Jenkins | Not Dark Yet

Not Dark Yet is a collection of works centred around paintings and drawings made in response to his journey through the early stages of brain cancer. About In May last year, I found myself on a ferry from Troon to Arran. The day was drawing to a close, sun setting over calm waters. Bob Dylan’s bluesy masterpiece Time out of Mind, a familiar travelling companion since the late 90’s and my first journeys from Cardiff to Edinburgh College of Art, was in my ears. However, the album, and in particular the track ‘Not Dark Yet’, were taking on a new significance in the moment. I had recently been experiencing strange and concerning symptoms and was at the time awaiting a brain scan. A fortnight later I was recovering from brain surgery and coming to terms with the diagnosis of incurable brain cancer. Whilst recovering, in a state of steroid-induced insomnia, I had a thought. I am a middle-aged, white male and I have.... subject matter! This exhibition is built-around a series of self-portraits made in the weeks and months after my surgery alongside which I have included landscapes and portraits, largely produced over the last year. I am indebted to artists who have gone before me such as Eva Hesse, Jo Spence and Hannah Wilkie whose dedication to their work throughout their own cancer journeys has served as inspiration to me. I am also deeply grateful to Leith School of Art, for their support and flexibility in accommodating my treatments alongside my teaching at the School, and for indulging me in this exhibition. Ben Davies-Jenkins Read more Toggle Mixed media Painting Drawing