Statement of Practice

My work seeks to capture the Romantic beauty and melancholy embedded in the abandoned structures of post-industrial landscapes and our natural environments.

 

Urban ruins reveal to us the fleeting nature of time. Like wandering through the shadows of an enchanted forest, we are confronted with the perpetual cycle of decay that governs life, blurring the distinction between nature and culture. These remnants bear witness to the adaptive powers of ecosystems, a humbling reminder of our relative transience in the face of nature. Once symbols of progress and innovation, these structures now echo with lost futures.

 

Through my paintings, I strive to evoke these paradoxical emotions of volatility, historicity, and fragmentation. My intention is to convey a sense of awe towards these discarded elements of the landscape and to incite reflection on the beauty and fragility of life.

 

Alongside my painting practice, I have been developing a research project around the spellbinding effects of ruins upon artists throughout history. My undergraduate dissertation in Art and Philosophy at DJCAD traced the evolution of immersion and the sublime from Romantic painting to contemporary media. Following graduation, the RSA David Michie Travel Award allowed me to further develop this project in Berlin, delving into the intricate relationship between a city and its abandoned structures.