Algae, poster paint, ink , glitter, and acrylic paint on cotton rag paper, 75x55cm, 2012 This was made in the Old Police Station, Deptford, London, 2012. Algae detail
Green Fold, Poster paint, ink, and acrylic paint on cotton rag paper 75x55cm, 2012 Green fold was made towards the end of the first phase of 'Swimming & Other Things' project. In 2011 I was involved in work with a University, after which I reclaimed my art practice in the studio. This was also the first time I let myself really paint behind closed doors in a decade, having been mainly involved in outdoor painting projects, social art and public space works - organised and guerrilla. The series began on cotton rag paper, with a mix of childrens' paints and other institutional whilst decadent materials that I felt reflected parts of human nature I was interested in at the time. The painting remains underwater, in the suped-up natural world. This was made in the Old Police Station, Deptford, London, 2012. Green fold detail
‘Girl & Whale', mixed media on Khadi paper, 75x55cm, 2011 I painted a scene from this dream, so as not to forget it: The sea was dark. Cold, black water. I was swimming for eternity, no end in sight, and I was tired. There was no land behind, in front, anywhere; just black water of infinite depth and expanse. I couldn’t do it anymore, had nothing left. A feeling inside of me told me to keep going, not to give up, not yet. An impossible ask. Keep going, just a little further, you’re almost there. But I could see no end to the journey and had few strokes left in me. As I reached once more, stretching to continue what now barely resembled a swimming method, the ocean suddenly shone with silver fish skimming the surface of the water in synchronised arcs. The humble shoals reflected light back to the moon as far as the eye could see. How incredibly beautiful! Breath and fatigue went on hold whilst I floated transfixed by this sight. As my eyes bathed in delight an enormous whale rose from the ocean depths and my hands moved to hold onto the back of this barnacle clad creature. So huge, so gentle, we were now gliding through the water. Wonder and belonging replaced despair as my journey continued amongst these friends of the ocean. The painting was made in the Old Police Station, Deptford, London, 2011. Girl & Whale detail
Into the wild, acrylic and water based paint on khadi paper, 75x55cm 2011 Dusty, weighed down, back to nature we go. Young and old, the vines bind our wrists and hold our feet to the ground. We too then entwine with those who dare to pause. This was made in Deptford, London, 2011. Into the wild detail
‘Purple Torn', mixed media on Khadi paper, 75x55cm, 2011 Khadi paper was painted and covered with glittery dust collected from a previous show (Luna Beauty). The paper is folded, torn and reassembled. More of this dust was used in a later installation (Dusk), and again in Girl's gotta do. This painting was made in the Old Police Station, Deptford, London, 2011. Purple Torn detail, 2011
Chipmunk, mixed media on Khadi paper, 75x55cm, 2011 Acrylic paint on a mixed media background, hints at English flora, with some Japanese influence. In the foreground resides a chipmunk; scratches allow the landscape to become part of the creature. This painting passed through many varied forms, until I sat back and knew it was complete. I was surprised at the lightness of the piece and felt a sense of acceptance. There is often a mood or feeling that accompanies the completion of a painting, along with a personal story, and place in my practice. The method is quite active - experimenting with materials and application whilst investigating and indulging in colour. This was made in the Old Police Station, Deptford, London, 2011. Chipmunk detail
'Black Bile', mixed media on Khadi paper, 75x55cm, 2011 The main materials and method is acrylic paint on a water-based paint background, made by repeatedly painting and wiping the surface of cotton rag paper, adding and removing layers so stains and traces of the activity remain. On top of this landscape are marks made with some influence of Japanese calligraphy in the brush strokes. There is a musing on the intertwined nature of life: humankind, animals, and the landscape being one shared entity. In the painting is a female form enmeshed in the trees she is passing through. If you turn the painting upside down, her dress makes it appear as though the forest is on fire. Making the painting encouraged me to stay in one place for a substantial amount of time when I felt like being on the move. I thought about how often we have a lot of stimuli and activity in our lives, but when you stay put doing one thing, that changes too. Nothing stays the same. This was made in the Old Police Station, Deptford, London, 2011. Black Bile detail
'Nippon', mixed media on paper, 56 x 76 cm, 2011. Applying paint to rag paper or Khadi with my hands: repeatedly painting and wiping the surface, adding and removing layers so stains and traces of the activity remain. News had recently broken of the tsunami in Japan, where I used to live, so there is an influence of thinking of people quietly waiting in a ravaged landscape underwater in this piece. This was the first painting in a three year project I set myself to explore and re-connect with this element of my practice behind closed doors, to just see what happened. In 2015 I exhibited the resulting substantial body of work titled Swimming & Other Things. This piece was made in the Old Police Station, Deptford, London, 2011. Nippon detail
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