Poetic Evocations Statement

The paintings are on display at Scarborough Art Gallery
The Crescent, Scarborough, North Yorkshire
until 15th November 2003

Gallery Telephone 01723 374753

All paintings and sketches are for sale - Prices on application

This is a new body of work entitled Poetic Evocations.

Art making is about a dimension of reality, occasionally glimpsed and not always fully realised, but which conveys to the artist that deep sense of oneness. A oneness that can feel remote in an era in which philosophers tell us that reality is subjective and we are left to create our own. Despite the possibilities of anarchy within this framework we discover our individual realities overlap and we take comfort in finding that we are not alone.

One way in which to communicate this individuality is through the use of the metaphor, which is defined as "an attempt to capture chaotic impressions and experiences and bring them under control; explaining them in familiar terms".

The figure is a perfect vehicle to do this as no other subject speaks more directly to us. It is a part of reality known most intimately by us and yet it remains paradoxical, elusive and contradictory. We see in the body of others our own reflection. Consequently, my work is concerned with evoking memories and feelings that are like discovering a secret which when found remains untranslatable yet touches a note that we share; an evocation that may be interpreted differently by each viewer yet resounds a unifying note.

The result encapsulates a variety of meanings, both due to the iconic nature of the nude, and with respect to memory and the layering of experiences that go to make us individuals within a collective consciousness,

The human figure is a pathway to evoking a myriad of emotions. It carries a power that is unmatched. Hence the title 'Evocation'. In fragmenting the image the viewer has to invest time and energy into deciphering what is in front of them. This is achieved through a combination of abstraction and mixed media, mainly comprising of tissue paper and gold leaf/dust. The variety of textures plays with the light and therefore changes the image as the light changes.

I hope that you enjoy the show