Artist opens a window into his soul

Apr 21 2009 by Neil Mckay, The Journal

ARTIST Pinky Binks has transformed an empty butchers shop as part of the contemporary art festival Art Land project.

Hundreds of pink chrysanthemums and roses adorn the window of the property on Newgate Street in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, and spell out the words “hold your breath”.

The vegan artist intended the piece to be a tribute to the emotional and physical memorial for all of the animal lives that have passed through the space over the years.

He said: “One of the key functions of art is to help provoke a response from people. I want passers-by to either enjoy the flowers, consider the meaning of the piece or to individually interpret the context of the work.”

Mr Binks exhibits his unique brand of work all over the country including The South Bank Centre in London. And he’s also an art lecturer who spends his time flying between the UK and India.

He said: “I thought flowers would be the perfect symbol to represent the animal’s journey – by starting off looking fresh and full of life and then as time goes by – slowly decomposing as that life leaves its body. “The floral composition is also similar to flowers people associate with funerals and death, which incorporates the simple philosophy behind Tribute. I’m not preaching or wishing to influence anyone’s eating habits, as people have the choice to make their own decisions.

“It’s all about how art can be a window into somebody’s own beliefs and show what people are thinking.”