They Don’t Make Salads Like They Used To by Karen Chappelow

Artist Statement

The painting started because of a rhyme sung to kids..

Ride a cock horse to Banbury cross

To see a fine lady on a white horse

With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes

She will have music wherever she goes

Toots and the Maytals song Monkey Man has the following verse

I was on my way to Banbury Cross

Then I see a monkey upon a white horse

With rings on her fingers, bells on him toes

Sing a little song, wherever he be

‘Cause he’s a monkey, ’cause he’s a monkey

‘Cause he’s a weedy-weedy-tweedy-weedy monkey man – I prefer this one.

A cock horse refers to a feisty, uncircumcised or hobby horse.

At this point I lost my mind and remembered a moment with my daughter, having lunch where I spied an ingredient in a salad. It was “mescalin”.

I said to Rani- “isn’t that heroin? that’s awfully cheap for heroin”, we then did a Google and had a laugh. So that’s where it ends up.

Riding on a cock horse in the desert in search of mescalin producing cacti. How does this fit into my theme Heros, Heroines and Bastards? – I’ve taken a liberty in misspelling it but the hint is the central part of that sentence! Haha artistic licence.

About the Artist

“I like it when I get a physical reaction from people when they view my art.  The whimsy, fun and sometimes political nature of life is evident in my work.  By expressing the fierceness of a female, the ridiculous in a scenario, becomes a message turned into humour softening the blow, breaking down barriers.  The expressionist nature of my work tries to blur the edges of reality and hopefully makes people smile, wonder, think and create conversation.”

Karen Chappelow has been sculpting and painting for more than 20 years, she has a drive for bucking the system and invites the viewer to view life through a different lens. Karen has collectors both Nationally and Internationally.

In recent times Karen has been extensively exhibiting in New York, Madrid, Luxembourg, Berlin, Rome and Malmo-Sweden. Also exhibiting in group shows in Perth and Melbourne. Karen’s work has appeared on the “The Block” a TV renovation show on Channel 9.

Karen will also be appearing in Home Design Magazine August 2023 edition.

Follow Instagram and Facebook @karenchappelow_artist for new work.