Owen Gent, Saudade No. 1, 2019, record sleeve artwork for SOMA SOMA, Mintaka records

Owen Gent is a British artist and illustrator based in Bristol. He is well established in England and so doesn’t exactly fit my niche of art from places less explored. Yet he is a new discovery for me and this image made such an impact that I wanted to share it with you.

The artwork was created as a record sleeve cover for the Saudade album by SOMA SOMA. I looked up the meaning of Saudade: “saudade /saʊˈdɑːdə/ noun (especially with reference to songs or poetry) a feeling of longing, melancholy, or nostalgia that is supposedly characteristic of the Portuguese or Brazilian temperament“. Fado immediately comes to mind, although the Bristol-based SOMA SOMA describes itself as Afro-Latin, Samba Afrabeat Bosso Fusion (if you’re curious: https://somasoma.co.uk)

Gent’s image spoke to me before I looked up its name and origins, before I listened to the lyrics of the eponymous song. To me, the minimalistic forms, the distinct colour outlines, the beauty of the composition creates a feeling of communing with nature and with self, being at once within and without and one with all. It is calming and infinite - and for me not at all melancholy - and I love it.

Reverie