Artists Statement


My interest lies in the power to evoke disquieting and elusive moments with  subtle nuances of hope- in the form of light  that the richness  and halftones of  the mezzotint can uncover. Although I specialise in the mezzotint print technique I continue to paint ,photograph,draw and sculpt   defining objects as they are brought out of darkness, just as a thought would emerge from ones memory. I am an explorer of twilight zones and ambiguous spaces. Much of my recent work explores ambivalence - suspended - the struggle with   insight  and doubt , hesitation  and commitment – the difficulty of existence .  Moments of isolation and dislocation, stillness and silence  where introspection and alienation are consciously engaged and interrogated. People waiting  in darkness caught between expectation and anxiety is the most haunting imagery . I try to emphasize the singularity silence and loneliness of a form - transforming  it from ordinary  to something more profound  -  into the realm of dreams and poetry ; to translate the  emotion and atmosphere around it .My source of inspiration comes from memory and subconscious which is rearticulated into my own visual language .  I like to suggest  not prescribe -  what is missing in the shadows and is suggested  provides the greatest potential for me . Recently I am exploring the miniature format   I have become fascinated by the power of the small print – it is a more intimate   ,quiet , private experience  , demanding control and focus and creating visual impact  out of proportion to its size. The viewer is invited into an intimate   and immense universe creating a very private experience as the viewer must   come close   and experience it alone. The mezzotint is known as “ maniere noire”  ( black method) it demands patience ,consequence, and precision. It is an extremely labour and   time consuming  process; an  an intensely intimate one  engaging  the artist on a long arduous inward journey during the many solitary hours spent preparing the plate- the image tends to reflect  this depth and  distance of thoughts . The  technique is particularly meditative ;It is about disappearing into the overall experience of the work and being totally absorbed in the process . The technique   is contradictory  you create the relief and then eliminate it working from pitch darkness -painstakingly and carefully nursing the image out of the shadows and into the light -  it has a primordial mystery . The tiny dots created  are the ancestor of the Pixel .My journey  is to deeper understand, raise my awareness and consciousness  of  light  . The technique offers a unique  and direct dialogue between the burnisher tool  and copper plate which continues to challenge and intrigue - working with the materials to a great extent is what the image is about. It   offers a special resistance to my will and forces me to think and rethink my way to solutions.