Artist Statement
My recent body of work is an attestation to the collective refences used by artists throughout history. I am inspired by an eclectic repertoire of movements and styles such as Japanese print making, English wallpaper design and the theme of identity. I use these different genres without falling into the trap of categorisation rather trying to let them emerge as new hybrid themes. I combine abstract brushwork and bright palettes within a defined composition to create a suggested narrative. The pieces are purposely complex to allow the viewer to revisit pieces as though they were new each time. The human form and elements of portraiture are leitmotif throughout my work. They act as a grounding for viewers to self-reflect how one fits into the malaise of surreal information.
Manifested as painted works I want to ask what we expect from drawings and how they can capture the essence of the narrative of the individual, a metaphor for the changes in the landscape. I am trying represent the physicality of the transition from one place to another, as well as the darkness of being lost and finding one’s way back.
The use of stray lines also speaks to the darkness of the unknown and the sometimes-painful journey of self-discovery. The use of tension in the paintings also allows me to create a visual language which speaks to the struggles of the individual and the journey of self-discovery. My work aims to speak to the human experience of transformation and evolving identity. I hope to explore the idea of the individual reclaiming their identity and ultimately finding the strength to be who they are.