One of Bert Ernie’s earlier abstract paintings. This was where he started to really experiment with crazy subject matter and even crazier dynamic forms.
This was one of those paintings where Bert used just about every technique to try and communicate the intensity and chaos of the subject.
That white paint in the centre is from an enamel silver spray can. Then to make matters more interesting Bert had other paints try and blend with it.
Dimensions: 92x61cm
Painted: 2004
Materials: Acrylic and enamel on MDF board
Private collection
The story behind Fight of the aliens 1
Flying away in the spaceship (again) in 2004, I was off to another new alien world. Instead of viewing the strange planet from outer space, I was transported to the planetary surface. From a safe distance, what I saw was genuinely shocking and obscene – an incredibly vicious fight between two new alien creatures.
Two aliens of different species stand engaged in combat – ripping, gouging, punching, and kicking each other. The fight apparently has been going on for several years. The more massive and more powerful alien is a blue dragon-like creature – and it is currently winning the battle. Its opponent is a darker red-brown dog-like creature with large tusk-like fangs. There is a lot of blood and gore in the scene – however both of the aliens continue to fight with unrestrained ferocity.
My alien friend explains how the sheer folly of this fight is that the two opponents have no real quarrel. Neither of them can remember why the fight initially started. They only know that they want to be the victor and so they battle with incredible ferocity.
We watch for an indeterminate amount of time before the strange alien provides some art materials and asks me to paint the scene. I comply, and when finished, even though the fight continues, I am told I have to return to Earth.
Bert Ernie
Detail views of abstract painting Fight of the aliens 1
