‘Sanctuary’

Sanctuary has become an extremely important concept to me during the formulation and creation of these works. It is multi-faceted, as it can be applied firstly to the idea that artists escape into their artwork as a means of expression. Second, to the physical studio space where these works have taken shape and third, to the therapeutic significance they’ve had on my personal life. 

The starting point for all of these works is a journal entry. I have been making journal entries over the last few years, channeling feelings onto paper to start a healing process of sorts, and the translation of an image into a subsequent painting became extremely liberating and rewarding. In the past, I have tried to create works with a sense of humour, or something that was lighthearted and comical; in contrast, Sanctuary is a very emotionally driven and sensitive subject, but it has resulted in what I think is the best work I’ve produced. 

Everything you see is handcrafted. The panels and the stretcher frames I’ve built myself, along with stretching the canvas. This has allowed me to work in a completely bespoke way. The decision to varnish the panels is for longevity and preservation. The use of a high gloss varnish gives way to a fortuitous side effect; under lighting, you can pick up faint shimmers of your reflection, putting you in the scene.

Upon viewing ‘in search of art’ (2), a colleague remarked that the colourful areas emerging from the darkness were reminiscent of the view of a favoured pub appearing over the horizon at night - the familiar sense of belonging, of hope, of sanctuary. These words stuck with me; I have felt that way before, but there is a richer metaphor at play. Like the distant, glowing lights of your favourite watering hole, these paintings have instilled me with hope - the hope that something good is not far away.