My practice is a transformative one; taking a traditional decorating medium (emulsion paint) and using it as a more thought provoking and enigmatic material.
I explore the ways I can not only change and evolve the liquid form of paint into a sculptural solid, but how I can also deliver an examination of what paint is able to perform and become in both context and form. How can paint be used as a material, how it has the ability to mimic other textures as well as playfully explore the relationship to its traditional state?
Paint is largely unpredictable, unreliable and uncooperative. These characteristics are often aided by the use of my material being largely recycled paint. By avoiding new paint wherever possible it provides the element of surprise as to what colours and textures I have to work with - often the older the paint is, the less compliant it shall be with me
Each piece is a negotiation between what I want the paint to do and what it will permit me to do to it; the character of each piece is something that I learn about through the making progress – some paints will be cooperative and easy going and this character is often reflected in its simplified presentation, while others are stubborn and put up a fight, requiring me to include tools and outside elements to control it.
The introduction of tools to my pieces is very methodical and deliberate. When introducing an object into my work it is to play an active role, I only use doing objects. My role in the process acts as director; my paint sculpture is the leading role, and when required I introduce supporting members of the cast.