Sam

 

The work based on old photographs investigates the narrative of family, archive and memory.  The photograph becomes the memory itself over time, creating in some cases a fictional memory as the true memory of the moment becomes lost. The narrative of the moment can become changed and embellished over time. The creases are carefully recreated in the first paintings and in the second paintings the crux of the photograph is focussed on creating a more graphic and joyful image. 

 

The nude paintings reference old master drawings, which were often in a red chalk.  The artist loves the classical skill of life drawing/painting and its long history within art practice. The aim is to bring a three-dimensional value, whilst painting the beauty of the nude form, allowing, in some cases the raw linen to show through. The nudes are isolated, very closely cropped, the faces not visible, showing only the body.  These are mysterious nudes.

 

Whatever the subject may be, it is examined minutely, isolated on the canvas and painted with skill to encourage the viewer to discover something new within the image.