About

Artist’s Statement

Historically artists have viewed abstraction as a tool for accessing another plane of thought or existence. For some it was the world of dreams and the subconscious, for others a spiritual place, transcending matter and formal relationships. But however much one may try, is it really possible to represent through painting something as intangible and indescribable as the imagination or sprit?

As a painter I see a blank canvas as a space in which to visually explore my own imagination. My work is automatic in the sense that I do not set out to make a painting about anything in particular. As the painting progresses formal relationships begin to establish themselves and direct the rest of the process. To me the shapes and colours are simply imaginary forms existing and conversing with each other within an imagined space.

I am, of course, interested in the way people interact with my paintings and seek to encourage the viewer to enter into an intimate personal relationship with my work both physically and mentally. I find it both frustrating and fascinating that no two people will ever have the same experience when engaging with my paintings. It seems to me an impossible task to enable others to experience my work the way that I do (especially since I am not entirely sure what my own experience is). Outside influences, associations and interpretations will always stand as obstacles to communication, but I do not feel compelled to strive for perfectly accurate communication, simply to construct a potential visual narrative.

Exhibitions

2010

Surface Dwellers, May, Surface Gallery Nottingham

2009

Raw Potential, June-July, Universtiy of Chester & NOVAS Centre Liverpool

Not Yeti, Bookshop June, Googlehiem Gallery, Chester

2008

RETOLD (Liverpool Biennial) November, M.USE, Liverpool

2007

Fresh Art and Design Aug-Sept, View From The Top, Nottingham

Education

2009

BA (hons) Fine Art and Spanish – University of Chester