An Aetheric Collection Celebrities and Icons

DEGARD - PAINTER...
LOOKING
When you are looking for knowledge, one of the good places to go
to is a university. Having gained a Masters degree in Politics
at Edinburgh University, I then decided to train at Chelsea College
of Art, London, where I was tutored in part by Terry Frost and
Virginia Verran.
Post Chelsea, I had two successful solo shows, ‘Paradise on Earth’,
at Spitalfields Gallery (1999), and ‘Money’ at the Zetland Gallery,
Shoreditch (2000).
Beyoncé Performing
aura pure
– oil on paper and
wood, silver leaf,
47 x 11 cm, 2014.
A great Beyoncé pose
with her front, and rear
showing together, with
her on stage here.
This is the second
painting in this series
on Beyoncé (see gallery
section at end of book
and The First Book
of Aethericism).
Is her aetheric energy
different on and off
stage? She is such a
huge liberating
influence for women;
sassy, fierce but
deeply maternal.
I find her fascinating.
Engagement by the public, academies and artworld then and now
regarding aetheric content often seems uncertain. The gorgeous,
heady mix of the divine, alchemised in the arts and sciences, was
and still is taboo.
I found that:
‘Strong scepticism remains about alternative dimensions or realities
in society. Openly, people are reticent to discuss their esoteric beliefs.
Scientists disassociate their findings from aetheric thinking, whilst
most artists are keen to ignore this area of their practice.’
The First Book of Aethericism
In light of this, my work from 2002 until very recently has been held
in secret.
Brad, Angelina,
Zahara, Shiloh
Jolie-Pitt
aura pure
– oil on canvas,
silver, gold leaf,
120 x 80cm, 2015.
I didn’t want the
classic red-carpet
photo of this A-list
couple but instead
wanted the family
‘authentic’ pose.
Here they are playing
in an activity park.
It was not long after
I completed this
painting (having
taken a year and a
half to complete it)
they split up –
which is why there
is a line in-between
the two halves.