"Left" - Watercolour and gouache on canvas 40cm x 50cm - 2024
"Giallo / Story of Narcissi" - Egg Tempera on Board 30cm x 40cm ( x3) - 2024
"Brick" - Egg Tempera on Board - 30cm x 42cm - 2024
"Turf" - Egg Tempera on Board - 42cm x 30cm - 2024
"Finger Painting" - Egg Tempera on Board - 42cm x 30cm - 2024
"Chainsaw" - - Egg Tempera on Board - 42cm x 30cm - 2024
"Burning" - Egg Tempera on Board - 30cm x 42cm - 2024
"Hoods" - Egg Tempera on Board - 30cm x 42cm - 2024
"Graft" - Egg Tempera on Board - 60cm x 84cm - 2024
Sketches
Heaven is a garden?
The Garden series is something I have been working on in 2024. The central idea behind the work is the concept of human mastery over nature. The primary medium I have used is egg tempera painting, which I think has a strong connection with the central conceit of this project.
This has been a new frontier for my practice. Learning this ancient style of painting has taken some getting used to, especially after painting with acrylics and oils for so long. It's fast drying time, rather precise egg-powder pigment-water ratio for mixing and tendency to flake off if not diluted, has proved (pun intended) temperamental. I hope that my frustration and battle with the medium is visible in the paintings themselves.
The subjects in these paintings vary, yet all are tied to imagery associated with gardening.
I have taken inspiration from manuals, diagrams, in particular, images of hands with tools. I enjoy the sequential nature of these manuals, they present clear and expressive action.
I imagine these paintings as a representation of frustration with lack of control, knowing you have no control, yet still finding the hubris to try find some regardless.
Heaven is a garden!
