It must be hard being a dog – a French bulldog to be exact – in love with a cat who has no interest in you. Tries a cat mask, alas doesn’t work, his doggy masculinity undeniable. He’s left to wander the streets of Paris without regret, finding solace in existentialist literature. Meet The Outsider.
This little doggy is my contribution to the Dress for Success Melbourne fundraiser auction happening at Smart Artz Gallery in South Melbourne this Wednesday night 23rd October. A bunch of illustrious artists were sent French Bulldogs to do with as they see fit in a French way, and they will be auctioned to raise money for this very worthy cause. Bids are already happening online, and will be finalised at the cocktail party auction on Wednesday. Check them out! Or mine in particular here. There are some very impressive artists such as Archibald Prize winner Lewis Miller, illustrator Jacqueline Gwynne, fashion designer Jenny Bannister, and even Hamish Blake throws his hat into the ring…
My little tattooed existentialist features text from a book that had a massive impact on me at the tender age of 16 – Albert Camus The Outsider (L’Etranger), which is arranged in the format of the Paris street map as it fans out from the wonderful Arc De Triomphe, with my own silhouette once cut in paper by a Parisian street artist, replacing the monument. I confess I was a little sad to hand him over…
