2023
Oil on canvas in plaster frame
1120mm (W) x 760mm (H)
At the time of creation, every painting is a portrait of myself. Through painting, I attempt to better understand myself and my surrounding environment. I process this information, filter it and express it through imagery. These two paintings have emerged from contemplation of my past, present and future. The past is how I have reflected on the evolution of my paintings over the years. As I change as a person, they create a story that I sometimes wishfully imagine will lead me to a grand answer.
The present is how connected I am to the living breathing environment of the studio. Ironically, it’s not until the moment has passed that I better understand the person I was at the time. The future thoughts are derived from the uncertainty, fragility and mystery of what might become. In particular, how will the unceasing integration of technology into our lives shape our understanding of reality, our connection with ourselves and others? How will this subsequently shape ones portrait?
I like to think of a painting as a portal to the past and the future, yet one that must always be experienced in the present. Through my paintings I hope to capture a moment that reflects how I have perceived reality at the time; a portrait of the person I was. Yet a painting will evoke a different response in each person. So take this moment to reflect on your own.