Over the past couple of years I have drawn influence from snapshot or directed photographs as well as images from printed literature to make paintings. The work has been concerned with narrative (whether real or artificially constructed), nostalgia and memory.

Some works have been based upon photographs from my childhood whilst others suggest fictional scenarios (from my own photographs) - often resulting in the appearance of film stills. These paintings elevate the sitter to a constructed ‘star’ status - suggesting an element of celebrity. The images are romanticised and glossed-over, in the way that magazine covers are manipulated and blemishes erased. The subjects are isolated and alone, yet close-up and intimate.

Other works are based upon childhood heroes, in this case Eastern Bloc gymnasts. These romanticised and beautiful images of young ‘super beings’ remain captured in time, but also remain unchanged and forever young and haunting in our memories. Their conditioned routines, down to their rehearsed expressions add to their appeal and mysticism, belying and smoothing-over the reality of their rigorous hard work, lost childhood and aching bodies.

The Shootist
Oil and acrylic on canvas, 130x180cm, 2004

Gamine
Oil and acrylic on canvas, 80x110cm, 2003

Walking alone at dusk I was overwhelmed by a sense of not belonging
Oil on canvas, 100x125cm, 2004