Bollocks To Growing Up! by Mark Davies

Available as a fantastic Limited Edition Print.

All Artwork is signed by the artist and includes a Certificate of Authenticity.  

MARK SAYS:

WAZZUUP!  

Who would have imagined what would follow on from when I first created ‘The Memory Remains’ right back in my formulative years as professional artist. I knew there was potential with the heart-warming sentiment behind that piece and despite me writing this, sat staring at a screen knowing that I need to invest in some reading glasses, I have never been one to be short sighted. 

Like I said, I knew there was a cracking potential to write many more chapters, but the way this has evolved into many different scenarios that paint a picture of so many of our childhoods has been so much fun. Without tooting my trumpet, I love how my mind works and to do this as a career is, well, the bollocks! However, I genuinely believe that a catalyst for the way this story has grown is down to you lunatics! The way so many have adored my retro toy laden art has been amazing and has inspired me to create what I have done over the past years. 

Despite how successful ‘The Memory Remains’ series was, I stopped it at the four pieces. Not only did that reflect the very first concept and layout of the original scene but I didn’t want it to end up having more spin offs than ‘The Fast and Furious’ movie franchise! Yet, it is the determination to think outside of the box that has led to the parallels that have been born, such as ‘Skool’s Out!’ and the latest ‘Bollocks to...’ pieces. I wanted to open new windows into other scenarios after the point when we took those toys home from the toy shops, whether that be to the local park in the summer holidays, the Lido, or our homes. 

Back in 2022 I created ‘Bollocks to Bedtime!’ and it was an instant hit, selling so well as limited edition prints and more recently the collector’s puzzle. Keeping that trumpet locked away, I still must admit that it does look a bit good doesn’t it! So, for 2024 I was keen to expand on this and not just show another room in the house but to show how us kids turned into teenagers and all the chaos that came with it. Positioning the scene would have meant that the troublesome teens would have been living in the early 90s’ which was a brilliant era! This immediately generated so many potential references to draw from as well as reigniting some wonderful memories. 

Initially, the plan was to open the door into the teenager’s den, to allow me to combine the links that you all love, classic movies, arcade games and retro toys. Yet what you now see is much different and I feel even more engaging. What I have done is to create the ultimate basement hang out for big kids, where the entire family refuse to grow up! This link between the kids and parents was formed through showing you through into the garage and a pristine Harley Davidson parked just behind a gleaming Ford Escort Mexico! What is great is then noticing how some details show that the parents also used that space in the past and it now forms a cracking place for the family to hang out as individuals and collectively. Oh, and even the family dog wants a look in, maybe to just laze about on the battered old sofa, speaking of which, does it look familiar to you?!  

As with so many of my pieces that totally immerse me whilst creating them, this scene grew and grew as more memories flooded back in and the concept evolved. As with ‘Bollocks to Bedtime!’ when the title came from a last-minute edition into the room, the same happened here, albeit slightly earlier on. Some pieces see the title born right at the start, but this was an example of being aware that what is being created is amazing but having no clue as what to call it! I will give you a little insight, there was mention of doing a ‘Toy Story’ piece next year and it was from that where the title would come to light. It was that refusal to let your cherished toys from earlier years go despite becoming a teenager, we can all relate to that, and I remember the boxed up toys from Andy’s room in the movie so it started me thinking! 

Despite the focus needing to be kept on the early 90’s, I have shown a corner of the scene to have a number of boxes that were destined for the car boot sale or garage and have been intercepted. The scrawled writing tells you exactly what was thought to that! This was great to allow the visual and conceptual link to previous pieces, as I love how many of you collect the series of these to display in your homes. It also is where the title came from, and from this point is where I started injecting some subtle details to mimic this, just pure good fun! Just like the kid’s bedroom, the basement is an absolute mess! The closer you look you can clearly see that a few parties have been held down there, PARTY TIME…. EXCELLENT!

I am so excited for the reaction to this piece; I didn’t want it to end when I was creating it. Whilst the previous piece was vivid and lairy in its colour palette, this is bright but warm, it reflects how it makes you feel when you position yourself in the scene and how those wonderful memories come flooding back. We all need that don’t we. The importance of a family unit and a great upbringing that we maybe took for granted at times. So, it’s not just a piece focused on the past, no. It’s one for the present and the future as it reminds us how we can create many more memories and live and love the right way. At the risk of sounding a bit soppy, I just absolutely love how I feel from producing my nostalgic scenes, I need it and clearly so do you. We all have different memories to look back on, those brightest will always remain. Sometimes the years that followed would have blackened them but to know that my art helps to reignite that flame is inspiring and to hear of your reasons for collecting my work is genuinely humbling. Love you guys! 

I will sign off with three other words, BUM, WIGGY… BOLLOCKS!