My work explores the perception of reality and the relationship between our conscious and unconscious mind. My interest in the mind means I have been drawn towards the figure. For me, portraying a figure turns my attention inward, to the internal being. A face and a figure remind us of our own existence and therefore we are made unconsciously aware of ourselves.
Through different processes I aim to uncover myself and my perception of a reality that is not just visible, but unconscious, that comes from somewhere deeper than just the senses. My technique is unplanned, and I like the instability and candour of this. Throughout this process the image almost starts to take on a life of its own. Whilst working my response becomes almost automatic and meditative focusing on form and colour and texture. Instead of becoming a physical representation they evolve into an emotional and unconscious representation of my mind, my body, and the environment that surrounds me. I aim for the viewer to then consider their own separate reality whilst being momentarily preoccupied in mine. Where do our conscious minds end and our unconscious begin? Where do our perceptions end and the true reality of the physical realm begin? Is what we see a false sense of reality, or is it just one small glimpse?
I feel that the more I explore my own mind, through the process of painting, the more I will come to understand my reality.
