Atomic Shadows
Coming Soon
Archaeology
Archaeology explores the two key themes: the way in which we view the past through a distorted lens, and our connection to memory and mortality.
These works begin as collage, combining fragments of historical images (often broken portraits) with my own photography. The fragmented figures appear to the viewer as do ruins to an archaeologist. When we receive the discordant information and our minds naturally fill in the gaps and build a narrative to define what we are seeing.
The artist collects photographic negatives from house clearance auctions, the families and subjects of the portraits have all passed away, and their memory at risk of disappearing all together. These works address how we view the unknown past and try to understand through our own knowledge and experiences, the images are fractured and scattered into areas of the artists own life allowing the viewer to create a new, surreal, dreamlike story in these images.
Out of Place, Out of Time
This ongoing series addresses two key themes: firstly, constructing a fictional narrative, distorting how we interpret and understand a paintings visual anchors to a place in time. Secondly, exploring the relationship between painting and collage.
These works are recognisable to the viewer as we identify the figures, landscapes and the events unfolding, yet they cannot be understood. When viewing a collage it is plain to see that the composition is constructed and therefore impossible. When we see a photograph or a painting however, and view the composition presented uninterrupted as one, we accept it and try to understand it. These works challenge the viewer to define them and to find meaning in their composition.
