British musician and painter Ronnie Wood poses for photographers with a paintbrush after signing his name, during a photo call to unveil his new work titled ‘Abstract Performance’ in Wood Lane, west London, on Tuesday 1 February 2022. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP
LONDON
Ronnie Wood had to use stairs to sign his name on his latest work of art – a giant abstract Rolling Stones painting.
Unveiled on the corner of the aptly named Wood Lane and Ariel Way in West London’s Shepherd’s Bush area, the music star has painted her name on a billboard displaying her work.
“It’s great because they finally found out I can paint,” exclaimed Wood. “Nobody knows I can paint, so we have to make sure people realize I can.”
Called “Abstract Performance”, it is based on Picasso’s “The Three Dancers” and shows him on stage with the rest of the Stones, Charlie Watts, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger.
He completed the painting in 2020 and there are also others in the series, but Mick Jagger does not wear any clothes in any of them.
“He’s naked in all of them, because I was inspired by a piece by Picasso called ‘The Dancers’ and they were all strutting around naked. And I was like, why not? You know, it’s a good form of expression.
Speaking of Watts, who died aged 80 in August, Wood said it meant a lot to them that he gave her his blessing to continue touring and using Steve Jordan in his place on drums.
The Rolling Stones hope to do a summer tour this year.
Wood also referred to painting a portrait of the Duke of Edinburgh, which was completed shortly before his death in April 2021.
“I’m very happy with it. It’s a charcoal, a sepia-brown pastel of the duke, and I had finished it shortly before he died and was going to show it to him. And then William heard about it and he asked me to show it to him at Kensington Palace, and he wants to show it to the Queen, so I’m very honoured.
Wood is selling limited editions of “Abstract Performance” through February 14 on its website.
