Gallery

"When Will This End"(2021)

Mixed media collage on A3 canvas

(The following text was written at the time of the artwork's creation)

"Inspired by the Mental Health Awareness project by Shawn Coss, I wanted to make a piece to reflect the current climate and how it has affected the Mental Health of many young people, primarily students. I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks, and the past year has had its high highs and low lows. I wanted to represent how this has left me feeling (depicting an exhausted, alienated version of myself). The severity of the pandemic and its knock-on effects have been overwhelming for everyone, and I have incorporated how others feel their mental health has been affected. The media have quickly pointed the blame towards young people for the rise in COVID cases, leaving immense guilt on top of existing stresses. Combining my personal experiences and the experiences of others, I wanted this piece to feel claustrophobic, overwhelmed with information, which is how many have been left feeling, some not fortunate enough to have a healthy support system."

"One Day At A Time" (2021)

Acrylic on paper

(The following text was written at the time of the artwork's creation)

"This piece is a representation of one of the first obstacles that I, as an individual who struggles with Mental Illness, faces day to day - getting out of bed. Using acrylic paints and POSCA paint pens, I have chosen to directly illustrate a scene which conveys the atmosphere of struggling to start the day. The way the scene has been painted mimics the way sunlight comes through an open curtain in the morning, but leaving some of the room shroud in darkness. This also represents the warmth and positivity that comes with a new day, but there are traces of darkness that remain, highlighting my ongoing struggle with depression and anxiety."

"Vanity"(2021)

POSCA pen and gouache on A2 paper

"Catch My Breath(I Shouldn't Have Butterflies)"(2022) - SOLD

"A visual representation of my experiences struggling with mental health problems, using POSCA pens, gouache paints and collaging. I decided to overload this piece with information and disturbing imagery to emulate a panic attack, using a caricatured version of myself at the center of the piece and surrounding it with a whirlpool of visual emotions. The imagery is both subliminal and literal, allowing the viewers to their own interpretations. The work is intended to highlight the mental health crisis amongst students and young people, and raise awareness to its severity. This is communicated through its intimidating scale and the spread of spirals that reach out of the work and onto the surrounding gallery walls. Installed at the opposite end of the gallery entrance, the work draws in the viewer from afar, inviting them to investigate the details as they approach. It is displayed in such a way that the viewer cannot avoid the piece and its contents, which helps deliver the importance of the message. My previous studio works ‘When Will This End?’ and ‘Vanity’ inspired this piece. I had focused on the topic of mental health last year, and wanted to revisit it with my refined style. Another inspiration for this installation was my exhibition work from the Level 5 Pop Up Exhibition 2021 - it taught me to take advantage of the exhibition space by up-scaling to elevate the density of my work."

POSCA pens and gouache on foam board/mixed media print on paper

(Following text as written to accompany this work in its installation form for the "(im)possibilities" exhibition (2022)

"The Marionette Collection"(2023 - Ongoing)

"The Marionette" is an ongoing project that discusses my anxieties regarding the relationship between humans and technology. The project began in January 2023 and sees the character of this narrative embodying themes of alternate reality and science fiction. This is used as a catalyst for encouraging the audience to question their reliance on modern day technology as we have no true understanding of its longevity and sustainability - and with the rapid developments in artificial intelligence, we don't understand the extent of its capabilities. This project sees mixed media works, consisting of biro pen illustrations, gouache and acrylic painting.