Geology is my inspiration and the core of my practice centres on the ideas of repetition and flux. The coastal regions of the British Isles are testament to the harmoniously destructive and reconstructive world and this fascinates me.
When I view the landscape I am aware of the geological structures beneath the surface. The subterranean world directly influences the landscape above, so, with this in mind, I study areas of Britain with a strong geological intrigue. Wales established this intrigue as this is where I first studied geology. Eroded mountains, once the size of the Himalayas, lie in the North, ghosts of coal industries scatter the South and 750 miles of coastline encompass much of it. The elements have carved this land, exposing the subterranean skeleton below. Water is the most powerful of these elements and swimming in the rivers and seas allows me to learn about the extent of the power. Since 2012 I have travelled to Dorset, studying the way the sea interacts with land. Through paint I mimic geological processes I experience: erosion, saturation, crystallisation and deposition. The paintings are also a vehicle for inspiration, where drawing, cut-outs, written responses and scientific maps broaden the geological fascination. Ultimately, can the work simultaneously communicate the intricacy of the atom and the Sublime of the cosmos? |
Artist in Residence 2011-2013
The residency at Ackworth School has introduced the use of local maps from the 1800s, a geology map of Britain from 1908 along with many discarded geography books from the Geography Department. Coal Mining became an obvious relationship between Caerphilly, where I have come from, to West Yorkshire, where I currently live. Mapping and contouring the drawings and paintings were a result. Creating contour models and relief works enables me to revisit the problem of communicating the subterranean landscape.
The residency at Ackworth School has introduced the use of local maps from the 1800s, a geology map of Britain from 1908 along with many discarded geography books from the Geography Department. Coal Mining became an obvious relationship between Caerphilly, where I have come from, to West Yorkshire, where I currently live. Mapping and contouring the drawings and paintings were a result. Creating contour models and relief works enables me to revisit the problem of communicating the subterranean landscape.