To Me You Are A Work Of Art

Not to sound cliched, but January truly is a sombrous, dragging month. After the initial collective gasp of relief from no longer being bombarded by Christmas music in every public locale, January lurks as a grey nothing, and each dark day feels longer than the previous. Thankfully, we are now through with the first month of 2019, yet – undeniably - we are still submerged in the icy depths of winter. Of course, these things are easier to bear with something exciting on the horizon, and as of the day of writing, there is not yet any official major tour or California Son news for those of us desperately refreshing our browsers for Morrissey info. Maybe we are a little addicted, but we’re really missing him, and tour dates would be a welcome reprieve from bleak blizzard-beaten days. This time last year, we were on the cusp of a Morrissey UK and Ireland tour, and I am not exaggerating when I say it was the best month of my life thus far.

Morrissey in Glasgow, 2018

Luckily, February has started to come to our rescue, as we have had news about a Limited Edition red vinyl release of Lover-to-be, complete with an unreleased b-side. While we hang on with patient impatience for more news, I have ordered a beautiful new Morrissey-related art book, which I will talk about further into this blog, and have otherwise kept busy dealing with the biggest snowfall my home city has seen in 22 years (over 18 inches!). The most important matter, of course, was making sure the resident ducks at my local pond were faring well in such unusual weather. While their pond was mostly covered with a slick layer of ice, the ducks themselves seemed to be in good spirits, and I made sure they were well-fed by bringing them mallard-approved snacks.

Snow ducks

For now, I have been trying to get my Moz fix from watching concert videos. Last month, while drinking malbec and watching Morrissey’s 2012 Chilean concert at Vina del Mar, I was struck forcefully by one of his lyrics: “I was bored in a fjord”, from Scandinavia, a song I have listened to countless times. Simple, yet such a unique rhyme: funny – and clever! This is one of the characteristics I love best about Morrissey’s art: there is no such thing as an “old” Morrissey song, because your senses are continually reborn and restruck with each listen. In moments, a detail, mood, or sound will jump out – something that, of course, had always been there, but is suddenly accented with a new power. Morrissey, as we know, has an incredible gift with words: he inspires vivid imagery and pure emotion with his lyrics, and weaves them dextrously with layers of rhythm and rhyme. This prompted me to ask other fans on Twitter what their favourite rhymes were – and I was bestowed with so many interesting answers, I thought I would post them here. Let’s get started:

Photo by Jake Walters

Ready With Ready-Wit:

“I crack the whip and you skip”

“Belligerent ghouls run Manchester schools”

“Frankly Mr. Shankly I’m a sickening wreck

I’ve got the 21^st century breathing down my neck.”

“You are repressed but you’re remarkably dressed”

Unconventional/internal rhymes:

“Monday – humiliation

Tuesday – suffocation

Wednesday – condescension”

“Irish blood, English Heart,

this I’m made of

There is no one on earth

I’m afraid of”

“Each household appliance is like a new science in my town.”

“Lonely in Barcelona”

“Writing frightening verse

To a buck-toothed girl in Luxembourg”

“Spineless swines,

cemented minds.”

“Your mild best wishes

They make me suspicious.”

Imagery-rich

“I said Charles don’t you ever crave

To appear on the front of the Daily Mail

Dressed in your mother’s bridal veil” (still makes me laugh every time!)

“You have never been in love

until you’ve seen the sunlight thrown -

Over smashed human bone.”

“And the pain was enough to make a shy, bald Buddhist reflect

and plan a mass murder,

Who said I’d lied to her?”

“Everyday is like Sunday,

Everyday is silent and gray”

Cheeky:

“I have been brave

deep in every shaven cave”

“There are explosive kegs between my legs”

“She wants it now, and she will not wait

But she’s too rough and I’m too delicate”

Powerfully concise:

“Balancing life’s riches against the ditches”

“Beware I bear more grudges

Than lonely high-court judges.”

“You don’t agree -

But you don’t refuse

I know you.”

“What she said, was sad

But then, all the rejection she’s had.”

Stylistically Mesmerizing

“And the Fulham road lights

stretch and invite into the night” (oh how that rolls off the tongue!)

“Dab-hands at trouble

With four days of stubble”

“Why did you stick me in

self-deprecating bones and skin?

I also thought I’d add some of my own faves:

“With my hands on my head,

I flop on your bed

With a head full of dread,

For all I’ve ever said.”

“Hopes may rise on the Grasmere,

But honey-pie you’re not safe here.”

“Just as motherless birds fly high

Then so shall I...”

“Streets of wet-black holes

On roads you can never know.”

“I was a small fat child in a welfare house

There was only one thing I ever dreamed about.”

“Prostitutes stylish and glum

In amongst them you are one”

“Head-of-state, potentate”

“Just some rain coated lovers’ puny brothers.”

Revolver Dolls Morrissey Book

As I mentioned earlier, I have been lucky enough to get my hands on a new Morrissey art book by Juliana Rodriguez, also known as Revolver Dolls. Juliana is an Argentine artist, now based in the United States, and her colourful, figurative, contemporary pieces use digital mixed media and often focus on musicians and pinups, blending symbolism with social commentary. I came across her account on Instagram a few months ago, and noticed she has created many brilliant Morrissey pieces. The first one that caught my eye was I Wish You Lonely, named for one of my favourite tracks on Low In High School. I Wish You Lonely features a hybrid younger-and-older Moz, with salt and pepper hair, wearing blue jeans and no shirt, inviting intrigue with piercing blue eyes. He is surrounded by vibrant gladioli and holds a cute little dog similar to the pugs playfully tearing around the I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris video. I was instantly enchanted as I felt this piece represents much of Morrissey’s essence: his eternal youthfulness, the timelessness of his aesthetic, his love for animals... and also his mystery.

I soon discovered Revolver Dolls has released a hardcover book of her Morrissey prints available for order, and immediately knew I wanted it to add to my Morrissey books collection. I was excited to learn I am the first person in Canada to receive this art book, along with a t-shirt designed by the artist, featuring the piece All You Need Is Me. On the book’s cover, Morrissey dons a vivid blue, silky (Rodriguez has a stunning ability to capture textures) Dries Van Noten style shirt, while holding, with one hand, a baby cow, and in the other, a tambourine (the cover piece is titled That’s How People Grow Up). Inside, prints include Morrisseys from many eras, some blended, some grippingly life-like, some surreal, with themes of animal rescue, nature, music, and fashion weaving throughout. I feel Rodriguez’s art also portrays ongoing themes of hope and despair found in Morrissey’s work. The book includes a total of 20 full colour pieces (works ranging from 2016-2019) printed on glossy pages. She was also kind enough to sign and number my copy. Here are just a few of my favourite pieces:

Juliana Rodriguez’s work is inspired by a number of influences, including Irving Penn, Pablo Picasso, Francis Bacon, Andy Warhol, Rene Magritte, James Ensor, Salvador Dali, David LaChapelle, Richard Avedon, Frida Kahlo, Max Ernst, and Alice Neel. To check out more of her art, and for more information, please visit:

Revolver Dolls Instagram

It takes ducks to be gentle and kind <3