The "BATTLE OF THE SOUL" Collection
 

The “Battle of the Soul” Collection is centred around 14 historically controversial, widely-known and talked about, concepts derived from the seven sins and the seven virtues.


This particular collection was born in Kraków, Poland, circa 2005, during the time period leading up to Pope John Paul II’s untimely death and during the rise in succession of the newly elected Pope Benedict XVI. Personally, the story is told from a side that has been lived, relived and born again from within. It’s told from a side of Self, a side of wonder, a side of innocence, a side of love, a side of pain, a side of fear, a side of despair, a side of uncertainty, a side of courage, bravery, awakening and truth.


The collection is meant to reflect my own experience through the realm of Forms, and quite frankly, begs the question of whether any one side can be chosen at all.



(see Plato’s Theory of Forms)


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Artist's note:


"This is a message of encouragement to individuals who find themselves becoming a source of inspiration to others and to any with genuine curiosity and appreciation for the arts. Do not shrink yourselves or your beautifully creative ideas in order to make others feel more comfortable about your work. It is by Divine design that we have any inclination towards talent, gifts and skills at all. So, when you are being judged in such ways, remember your divine roots, and allow that to inspire you like never before.


On a more personal note, it has been somewhat humorous (and in a way saddening) how some over the years have read my art pages with premature judgment, perhaps in fear of art itself. These persons who question my beliefs seem unwilling to want to understand art's deeper truths, to hear its stories, to feel its feelings and instead, look down on what only a few of us will ever fully grasp unassisted ― the artist's mind. Of those whom this rings true, I send you unconditional love. I hope one day you will find peace within yourselves and maybe even uncover a hidden talent of your own to offer (without similar judgments) to those positively moved by it.


Art is powerful. These experiences are to be expected, especially when bringing light into dark spaces. More importantly, it serves us all as further evidence to the vital role we as 'the artist' can play in awakening new levels of passion, love, and empathy in others."


Adrénus Craton (2024)



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In the summer of 2011, the entire 14 piece collection made its debut in Bulgaria's capitol city of Sofia. The remaining ten original paintings were the moved to London, where several more years would pass before debuting four new (unfinished) paintings from the same collection but under a new series called, REBIRTH. This exhibition was held in Shoreditch, London, ⎯ London HOUSE Studio on August 26th, 2016. 


Shortly after my London exhibition, all 14 paintings from the “Battle of the Soul” collection were moved to New York City, to a boutique studio in Brooklyn Heights where the four unfinished paintings from the REBIRTH series would be finalised⎯thus once again, completing the collection. Currently, several new series from Battle of the Soul have commenced entitled, METAMORPHOSIS, CONTINUUM and TREE OF LIFE.


Living in and travelling throughout the world has prompted me, as an artist, to ask the same question again and again, "What is this battle?" This collection is all about feelings of taboo vs normality, good vs evil, weakness vs power, and what we all interpret as sin vs virtue.


My desires and aspirations for this entire Battle of the Soul collection (and its subsequent series) has reached a new peak. Every painting in this ongoing collection is created with a message. Each message identifies and connects us to the very threads of our human race.




2023

CURRENT & NEW WORK

Battle of the Soul | Patience


2022

SMITHSONIAN

Battle of the Soul | Patience


2022

VICTORIA ADVOCATE

Battle of the Soul | Collection


2021

VICTORIA ADVOCATE

Battle of the Soul | Collection


2021

PRESS RELEASE

Returning Home...


2019

THE ASSEMBLAGE :
Battle of the Soul | Metamorphosis


2019

THE ASSEMBLAGE
Exhibition Photos


2019

WHITE SPACE CHELSEA :
Battle of the Soul | Continuum


2018

SAATCHI ART :
Battle of the Soul | Metamorphosis


2016

LONDON HOUSE STUDIO :
Battle of the Soul | Rebirth 


LONDON HOUSE STUDIO :
Press Coverage by Backstage Tales


LONDON HOUSE STUDIO :
Press Coverage by Be Your Own


2011

BULGARIA DEBUT :
Battle of the Soul | Origin


2010

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Battle of the Soul | Feature 


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PRIDE (sold)

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PRIDE (sold)

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PRIDE II – Rebirth

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PRIDE II – Rebirth

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1. PRIDE (sold)


2. PRIDE II — Rebirth




Some have asked, “When did it become something we should live or die for?” Others have said, "Without it, we are nothing."


There are no lines drawn between these colours – only our desire to search, instead of simply seeing, this multi-coloured canvas.


Would it not be lovely to just exist, with no lines, borders or rifts? Multi-cultural and freely talented, we were all meant as individual gifts. So, let us not be criticised and penalised for any combination of colours that we choose to, or choose not to, identify with.


Pride appears when its virtue’s Form, equality, is absent.



Size : 130 x 150 cm (5 x 4 ft)

Medium : Acrylic on canvas
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HUMILITY

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HUMILITY

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HUMILITY


It is Pride's virtue. Humility transforms the colourfully loud (yet lifeless) into something solidly gold (yet priceless).

It glows, not of superiority, but of honour and solidarity, humbly achieving grace and passing it on.

Its Form is equality – in every sense of the word.


Size : 130 x 150 cm (5 x 4 ft)
Medium : Acrylic on canvas
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ENVY

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ENVY

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ENVY


It drains the colour even from rainbows, storing it just within reach behind us. So, instead of looking forward, we all are lost beside ourselves, looking backwards.

We have a purpose – to embrace our rainbows, keeping them upright and colour full.

Envy appears when its virtue’s Form, beauty, is absent.


Size : 130 x 150 cm (5 x 4 ft)
Medium : Acrylic on canvas
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ADMIRATION

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ADMIRATION

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ADMIRATION


It is Envy’s virtue. Admiration of others, from a distance, shows mostly an unclear picture of what truly is. However, when we admire from up close, and maybe a little bit nearer, we begin to see our own reflection taking shape. 

In the beauty of others dearer, we find the appearance of ourselves much clearer.

Its Form is beauty – in every sense of the word.


Size : 150 x 130 cm (4 x 5 ft)
Medium : Acrylic on canvas
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GREED

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GREED

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GREED
GREED III — Metamorphosis

Even at gold it scratches, only wanting something finer as it wildly hunts for the very treasure it has ravaged – yet, bound for nothing better.

Greed appears when its virtue’s Form, unconditional love, is absent.

Size : 130 x 150 cm (5 x 4 ft)
Medium : Acrylic on canvas
GENEROSITY


It is Greed’s virtue. In generosity’s true spirit, one never knows who is the giver, nor who is the receiver. It is forever unknown who is the greater beneficiary, forever unknown for whom the well has been most filled.

The hand of generosity is not black nor is it white, not left nor right, and not a thing is left unresolved, other than that which seeks its just cause.

Its Form is love – in every sense of the word, unconditionally.


Size : 130 x 150 cm (5 x 4 ft)

Medium : Acrylic on canvas

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LUST

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LUST

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LUST


It captures the absolute, dream state passion that comes from the pursuit of well justified, instant gratification. It's the only thing your eyes can visualise – when they are closed.

Lust appears when its virtue’s Form, purity, is absent.


Size : 100 x 150 cm (3.25 x 5 ft)
Medium : Acrylic on canvas
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CHASTITY

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CHASTITY

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CHASTITY


It is Lust's virtue. As the heat of passion is tamed, it takes on the form of cooling lava hit with an open air of reality or drenched on the shores of an ocean. Chastity cools instantly, protecting burning desire just beneath the surface.

Its Form is purity – in every sense of the word.


Size : 100 x 150 cm (3.25 x 5 ft)
Medium : Acrylic on canvas
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GLUTTONY

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GLUTTONY

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GLUTTONY


Gluttony reflects the slow decay of mind, body and spirit – in direct consequence of many overindulgent lifestyles, thoughts and habits that we as individuals, of all walks of life, somehow consider normal.

Gluttony appears when its virtue’s Form, restriction, is absent.


Size : 100 x 150 cm (3.25 x 5 ft)
Medium : Acrylic on canvas
ABSTINENCE

It is Gluttony's virtue. Abstinence is somewhat of a tattered blank canvas for each of our seven sins. Its restraint slowly washes away the gluttonous wantons and too-toos within us, whilst making room for a reasonable and seasonable apprentice.


Its Form is restriction – in every sense of the word.



Size : 130 x 150 cm (5 x 4 ft)

Medium : Acrylic on canvas

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SLOTH (sold)

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SLOTH (sold)

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SLOTH II – Rebirth

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SLOTH II – Rebirth

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1. SLOTH (sold)


2. SLOTH II — Rebirth



Sloth, like a town gone up in flames, tells a short story of the ‘do-nothing’ scenarios in which non-action has been justified by the action of others.

Sloth appears when its virtue’s Form, ascendancy, is absent.


Size : 100 x 150 cm (3.25 x 5 ft)
Medium : Acrylic on canvas
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DILIGENCE

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DILIGENCE

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DILIGENCE


It is Sloth’s virtue. To quote the film, Benjamin Button, “Some people were born to sit by a river. Some get struck by lightning. Some have an ear for music. Some are artists. Some swim. Some know buttons. Some know Shakespeare. Some are mothers. And some people, dance.”

We all have a gift which runs on diligence. It survives by and remains through itself. Even though we may not always explicitly see it on the road in which we travel, those of us who attain success are never without it.

Its Form is ascendancy – in every sense of the word.


Size : 150 x 130 cm (4 x 5 ft)
Medium : Acrylic on canvas
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PATIENCE (sold)

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PATIENCE (sold)

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PATIENCE (sold)

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PATIENCE (sold)

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PATIENCE (sold) ×
PATIENCE (sold) ×
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PATIENCE II – Rebirth

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PATIENCE II – Rebirth

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1. PATIENCE (sold)
2. PATIENCE II — Rebirth (sold)
3. PATIENCE III — Metamorphosis (sold)

It is Rage's virtue. We have all heard the phrase, "Just count to 10." Patience is not idle, nor should it be thin. Every moment passed is a second to be counted. It does not spell surrender, but it does mean we must always remember... what it is we’re standing for.

Only then, when we step back to see the big picture, do we forget the numbers and become our own victor.
Its Form is purpose – in every sense of the word.

Size : 130 x 150 cm (5 x 4 ft)
Medium : Acrylic on canvas
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RAGE (sold)

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RAGE (sold)

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RAGE II – Rebirth

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RAGE II – Rebirth

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1. RAGE (sold)


2. RAGE II — Rebirth



It depicts one of our universe’s most powerful emotions. Rage can either save us or destroy us.

It is so powerful that, unlike other particulars, it has the ability to show up for both causes.

Rage appears regardless the presence or absence of its virtue’s Form, purpose.


Size : 100 x 150 cm (3.25 x 5 ft)

Medium : Acrylic on canvas
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