Artist's Statement
VISUAL ARTIST
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
I am interested in the cultural landscape of my area; the way human activity and the environment interact and develop. Forces of nature, the power of the sea and the flow of rivers are inherent in understanding the geography of the Humber Region. Industry, housing, and leisure impose themselves onto the evolving landscape. Where human intervention has taken place, it often harmonises with nature. Bridges, lock gates, warehousing and bollards line the route of the Humber Estuary and its tributaries. Newer structures are built, and our industrial heritage becomes part of the geology of the area. I am inspired by these themes along with human stories, writing, and poetry. The play of light and tonal qualities are important to my work. Along the estuary the land is flat, and there are huge skies. Bright light creates deep shadows. Reflections ripple on broad waters, colours sparkle on structures, and silhouettes form against flat fields. Dark skies are menacing, and colours change with the seasons. Often, I use light to create a narrative with a haunting or eerie atmosphere. Edges dissolve and ambiguities emerge by what comes out of the darkness. Tension is created between space and areas of activity, the ins and outs of a painting, the close-ups and what is far away. I engage with oil paint to explore these themes and express my emotions, using brushes and tools to capture movement and texture. The paint’s rich colour and versatility allow me to speak through the images I create. Sketches, tonal underpaintings, and layers of paint build up organically into my own interpretation of what I see and feel. I embrace my surroundings by making sound and video recordings on site which enhance the experience. My paintings capture the light, the moment, have elements of memory and nostalgia, but also speak of today.
December, 2022
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