Shortlisted for the Holt Festival Art Prize 2015

Digitally reworked, acrylic on canvas.

I was drawn to an ancient small statue in the Sainsbury Centre. 

Curious of her identity I painted her against a contemporary wallpaper with birds balance either side of her head on a twig coming out her head. The wallpaper makes links to present day. The twig and birds represent a spiritual link with nature and communication with the girl from past to present.  

This painting, expresses the emotional ties that hold us, as we drift in and out of each other’s lives, holding on so as not to float too far apart. In dreams water symbolises emotional states. Drifting objects, abstracted weeds and flowers, float by.

Choice is often a dilemma and traumatic. Tension in this painting is created by the figure caught between the lamb and man.

I use many techniques in my work. This piece originally started as an oil painting which I digitally remixed with a collage. Then I printed it onto canvas and reworked it. I have deliberately left much of the printed element as I like the rawness and energy.