Our deep-rooted connection to landscapes and their associated objects provides an immense source of fascination in my practice. Perhaps this is because objects hold a residual energy and appear primarily as evidence; tangible links to something just out of reach. My interest in objects is at present concerned with preservation of natural material and material connected with our distant, sometimes enigmatic prehistoric past. My work explores themes of collecting, making and curating. Inspiration is taken from methods of sourcing and displaying objects through history and the elevation or demotion of objects based on taste, classification or perceptions of value. Assemblages which juxtapose very different objects, both man-made and natural, modern and ancient provide me with a range of new subject matter. As a collector, maker and artist, these assemblage scenes often happen organically in the studio or in the workshop. These objects exist in dialogue with one another, inviting conversation and reflection on our perceptions and understanding of the world. Although primarily a painter, I am also very interested in heritage practices and skills for their enduring relevance in a contemporary context. The majority of the objects on display and depicted in my painted works have been made by me as I seek to explore and understand these ancient practices of object-making. Through this work, I feel in touch with something ancient and venerated.
