Page 107 - Winter Issue

Your work is deeply influenced by the brain hemorrhages you experienced. How has this life-changing
event shaped your understanding of duality, both in life and in your art?
My health experiences have been devastating but have also proved to be a driving force behind my art. Without them, I
would most likely have pursued a different career path so the duality here is obvious. In my work, this duality is largely
an exploration of concept versus aesthetic. My work can be described as "picturesque" (something I deliberately try to
evoke) but this is contrasted by its origins and the notions of isolation that are portrayed.
You often depict cityscapes, seascapes, and rural landscapes. How do you choose which environment to
focus on in each piece, and what role do these settings play in expressing the themes of your work?
Each of these environments has an intrinsic duality in that their positive aspects can also be considered negatives. The
crowded nature of a city can be isolating, the abundance of nature in a rural setting can seem desolate and, the sea can
represent boundless freedom or an endless void. The setting I choose for each piece depends upon which aspect of
duality I wish to explore.
Futurism is a key influence in your paintings, especially in the way you create a sense of movement. Can
you explain how you apply this style to typically static scenes, and what effect you aim to achieve?
The Futurists used "lines of force" to denote dynamism in their art. I have adapted this technique and subtly used it
when designing the compositions of my paintings. This is most evident in my seascapes where the lines of force are
visible in the angular rocks which blend into the waves of the sea. Motion where motion shouldn't be creates an
unnerving feel.
In your artist statement, you mention that the viewer becomes an “interloper” in your work. How do you
craft this sense of intrusion, and what emotions or reflections do you hope it evokes in those who engage
with your paintings?
By partially obscuring the viewer's vantage point I create a barrier between them and the scene unfolding. This,
combined with a seductive color choice, piques the viewer's interest. The lack of people in my work, and the skewed
vantage point create a surreal feeling, as if intruding into a very private place.

Ascent - Acrylic on canvas, 50x40cm, 2023 Zephyr - Acrylic on canvas, 50x40cm, 2023

107