Oh How lovely Mark! I wonder if we know each other? (I'm a Rogers - of course), if you have a go on my website www.artbytinar.co.uk and search for Cussy (under the people tab) you'll see a portrait I painted of him! Thanks so much for reaching out and taking the time to read the piece X
What a picture you paint (literally and literarily) of the people and places that make Chirk what it is, Tina! Nicely done. The images you included, which I assume are your paintings, as well as the words, JUMP off of the page. You go, girl. Keep writing. You have found a great subject, do some digging in, deep diving.
Its really lovey to know I brought my home town alive for you Jerry. Thank you so much! They are my paintings, one is missing though! There's a portrait of Cussy I'm hoping the publisher will include.
We will update the article shortly to include your portrait of Cussy, Tina. Thanks so much for contributing to Cwlwm – you've vividly introduced Chirk to many people all over Wales who have never been... and might now be planning a visit!
I was bowling along quite happily immersed in the descriptions of Chirk but fell over on ‘ alleged sexual deviant’ .. what do they mean? Does Chirk have a homophobic ‘curtain twitchy’ tendency . Off I went to research Mr Gill .. aha you mean he was a predatory incestuous sexual abuser.Brushing that under the carpet of sexual deviance doesn’t work , call it out or leave it out.
Hello J and thank you for taking the time to comment too.
I did actually fight to leave Gill in and what language to use in describing his abuse.
Personally I would say it like it is, it did after all come from his own diaries and was confirmed by family members. If you delve deeper you'll see he was also close to his dog. Unfortunately unless there is iron clad legal proof, you can't leave out the word 'alleged'.
Should I have left out the Cenotaph and Gill because of this?
I felt and still feel my insistence in including him is important, as I know most people have no idea when they look at the cenotaph that there is a 'secret' story behind its creator, an abhorrent one.
Which makes me wonder if everyone knew (and understood) would they insist the monument was pulled down?
Can you separate the Art from its creator?
It's all subjective, like Gill, Michael Jackson was never convicted of a crime, yet I feel a bit pukey whenever I hear him. But that's me.
Personally (as an artist) I look at the cenotaph and always think it's a true work of beauty, its poignant and ... magnificent .....and in an instant, I think Eric Gill was an abuser, and manipulator.
I was very lucky to be allowed to use the word deviant.
It was my hope that that one word would have the effect that it did on you, that anyone who read it might be intrigued and look and then .... they would know (and I wouldn't have a court case).
I think I DID call him out J. As much as I could.
As for twitchy curtains, I can say hand on heart that since I was a kid, I have never witnessed a racist or gay slur in Chirk, I truly believe we are in majority an inclusive and tolerant community (there's a few more stories I could tell you here!).
Gill was never convicted of a crime, and it was only after his death that his diaries exposed what he was, a brilliant artist, and an alleged (I still must use this word) practitioner of bestiality and incestuous abuser of his sister.
Thank you for your detailed explanation .I completely understand the need to avoid libel but the insistence of an editor to use ‘deviant’ rather than ‘abuser’ is ill advised in my opinion. Deviance was common currency to describe lesbian & gays until the 80’s while there has never been any question regarding abuser , alleged or confirmed. I feel a whole other article coming on but not before I visit Chirk as your insightful piece has left me wanting to know more about quirky Chirky.
An awesome read from a Chirker now resident in the US. Even more heartwarming having known Cussy well myself. Great job Tina.
Oh How lovely Mark! I wonder if we know each other? (I'm a Rogers - of course), if you have a go on my website www.artbytinar.co.uk and search for Cussy (under the people tab) you'll see a portrait I painted of him! Thanks so much for reaching out and taking the time to read the piece X
What a picture you paint (literally and literarily) of the people and places that make Chirk what it is, Tina! Nicely done. The images you included, which I assume are your paintings, as well as the words, JUMP off of the page. You go, girl. Keep writing. You have found a great subject, do some digging in, deep diving.
Its really lovey to know I brought my home town alive for you Jerry. Thank you so much! They are my paintings, one is missing though! There's a portrait of Cussy I'm hoping the publisher will include.
We will update the article shortly to include your portrait of Cussy, Tina. Thanks so much for contributing to Cwlwm – you've vividly introduced Chirk to many people all over Wales who have never been... and might now be planning a visit!
I was bowling along quite happily immersed in the descriptions of Chirk but fell over on ‘ alleged sexual deviant’ .. what do they mean? Does Chirk have a homophobic ‘curtain twitchy’ tendency . Off I went to research Mr Gill .. aha you mean he was a predatory incestuous sexual abuser.Brushing that under the carpet of sexual deviance doesn’t work , call it out or leave it out.
Hello J and thank you for taking the time to comment too.
I did actually fight to leave Gill in and what language to use in describing his abuse.
Personally I would say it like it is, it did after all come from his own diaries and was confirmed by family members. If you delve deeper you'll see he was also close to his dog. Unfortunately unless there is iron clad legal proof, you can't leave out the word 'alleged'.
Should I have left out the Cenotaph and Gill because of this?
I felt and still feel my insistence in including him is important, as I know most people have no idea when they look at the cenotaph that there is a 'secret' story behind its creator, an abhorrent one.
Which makes me wonder if everyone knew (and understood) would they insist the monument was pulled down?
Can you separate the Art from its creator?
It's all subjective, like Gill, Michael Jackson was never convicted of a crime, yet I feel a bit pukey whenever I hear him. But that's me.
Personally (as an artist) I look at the cenotaph and always think it's a true work of beauty, its poignant and ... magnificent .....and in an instant, I think Eric Gill was an abuser, and manipulator.
I was very lucky to be allowed to use the word deviant.
It was my hope that that one word would have the effect that it did on you, that anyone who read it might be intrigued and look and then .... they would know (and I wouldn't have a court case).
I think I DID call him out J. As much as I could.
As for twitchy curtains, I can say hand on heart that since I was a kid, I have never witnessed a racist or gay slur in Chirk, I truly believe we are in majority an inclusive and tolerant community (there's a few more stories I could tell you here!).
Gill was never convicted of a crime, and it was only after his death that his diaries exposed what he was, a brilliant artist, and an alleged (I still must use this word) practitioner of bestiality and incestuous abuser of his sister.
A horrible man.
Thank you for your detailed explanation .I completely understand the need to avoid libel but the insistence of an editor to use ‘deviant’ rather than ‘abuser’ is ill advised in my opinion. Deviance was common currency to describe lesbian & gays until the 80’s while there has never been any question regarding abuser , alleged or confirmed. I feel a whole other article coming on but not before I visit Chirk as your insightful piece has left me wanting to know more about quirky Chirky.