It was John Cleese's 85th birthday this weekend. To celebrate Harry Pye has unveiled his new collaboration with fellow artist Rowland Smith. The title of the tribute is "Cleese and Chapman Diptych."
Their artwork makes reference to two great artists of the past - Francis Bacon and Agnola Bronzino, and two great comedy writer/performers John Cleese and Graham Chapman. Francis Bacon's intense portraits can currently be seen in the exhibition Human Presence at The National Portrait Gallery. Meanwhile, next door at the National Gallery you can see Bronzino's painting An Allegory with Venus and Cupid which partly inspired the famous foot from the opening credits of Monty Python's Flying Circus.
Whilst a student at Winchester School of Art in the 1990s, Harry Pye wrote his dissertation on the Monty Python team and has always been fascinated by the unique creative relationship Cleese had with Chapman. Their partnership resulted in such classic sketches as The Dead Parrot. Originally, Cleese wrote a skit about a dodgy toaster. It was Graham Chapman who suggested it would be funnier if the toaster was switched for a parrot.
Pye says "For me, these paintings are about being in the spot light. Sometimes we all find ourselves in a situation where we can feel like a chat show guest that's under pressure to be interesting and amusing. If you go on You Tube you can find many fascinating interviews with both Cleese and Chapman. The two that really stick out for me are the one where Chapman is with Michael Parkinson and he really opens up about his alcoholism and the other one is from 1979 when Cleese argues about the film Life of Brian with the Bishop of Southwark. One of the best things Cleese ever wrote was the eulogy at Chapman's funeral. He makes is crystal clear how important Chapman was to him and how much he was influenced by him.
Francis Bacon said he wanted to make paintings that unlock people's feelings and change their views on life. I feel watching Python changed me and unlocked something in me. Also, Cleese said "what I love about writing with a partner is that you get to places you'd never get on your own" I relate to that too - It was great to work with Rowland Smith on this tribute to John and Graham. We'd both like to wish Mr Cleese a very happy 85th Birthday."
