Central to my process is the rediscovery and reinterpretation of old family photographs. The use of limited, contrasting colour palettes brings certain aspects of the image into sharper focus—typically the most vividly remembered details, including myself. Monochromatic layers of oil paint create a dynamic tension within the works, blurring and simplifying areas. These painterly lexicons of flatness, translucense and realism create a push-and-pull effect, evoking a sense of the memory emerging through the painting. The intensely-worked surfaces are luminous and delicate, emanating through the canvas depths. The vibrant colours within my work further mimic childhood playthings, creating a lens through which the inner child is looking at the world.
Child-like oil pastel sketches serve as a leitmotif, symbolising a reclamation of the inner child, often appearing as outlines illustrating things now lost. Often reduced or absent rendered facial features of surrounding subjects hint at narratives that brew under the surface of the image.
My Degree Show ‘Recolouring the Past’ displays these paintings as an expanded family photo album, reflecting how memories once confined to the pages of the albums are now liberated. Narratives flow between works via subject gazes, colour stories, height and scenarios.
For enquiries about purchasing works or commissions, please contact me via Instagram or email.
I completed a placement year during my third year of study at Loughborough University and will receive a Diploma in Professional Studies. I worked at Create98, an arts studio in Essex offering tutor-led workshops and events. I became involved in nearly every aspect of the business including: programme scheduling, event planning, advertising, answering inquiries, uploading to the website, making brochures, window display and running art classes.
Through this insightful year I had many commission opportunities, most notably producing the window art display for The Broadway Theatre’s 2023 pantomime, Dick Whittington.
