I always seem to stumble when asked ‘what do you do?’ The answer I that is so often on the tip of my tongue is ‘Do you want a list?’ I don’t mean that to sound facetious or unkind but it is life – I, like most artists, are juggling various roles to maintain an income, a home, sustain an art practice as well as personal relationships.
I also seem to hesitate when asked ‘what do you do in your art practice?’ So I thought responding to that question in a blog would help the continuing reflection on what I do in my art practice.
I am essentially a painter. I work a lot with paint. Make a lot of 2d images using paint and print, they are mostly abstract exploring shape and colour, but at times my ideas seep into digital imaging, video work and photography.
This week I have been making some new work but also reviewing old work in preparation for an upcoming solo show ‘The Science of Fictions’.
I have chosen this title for a number of reasons. Science and mathematics is a re-occurring theme in my work – geometry and colour being very prominent. I wonder if I had heeded my father’s suggestion to pursue chemistry at school I may have explored the science behind paint and colour from a very different angle. As and aside I am currently reading Philip Ball’s “Bright Earth: The Invention of Colour” and am finding it very informative and fascinating reading about colour in art from a chemists point of view.
The works that I am planning to show suggest a narrative of ideas through images. The art I have made reflects a personal fiction that has accompanied me through recent years. It’s a continuing journey.
On putting this collection of works together I have been musing on the idea that I could presently describe myself as a landscape painter. Not in the traditional sense but I am very aware that my work often is usually a reflection of my environment. I take inspiration from and collect materials from my surroundings. I have been enjoying looking at the differences in the work I made when living in Stratford (pre Olympic frenzy) to the work that I am making now in leafier SE London.
I’ve moved away from scaffolding and building sites to manicured gardens and contained nature. Interestingly it is the angles of the man made structures and interventions that continue to be encompassed in my work. But the shapes of nature iare starting to seep in and I am interested to observe the direction my work will take if I allow it.
Having a solo show is a privilege and one I am grateful for. It also allows me an opportunity to place my work in a new space for a period of time giving me space to reflect on my practice and the direction it has taken. Also it feels like it will offer me a breather from my current work and I am excited about having blank walls for a while to all new ideas to develop.
