From London now based in Brighton I originally studied graphic design and illustration. I now develop my own visual art practice as well as undertaking design commissions.
My paintings are produced mostly in acrylic and are
primarily figurative. These figures are constructed using scalpel cut board.
The negative shapes from the cut outs are filled with painted texture making up
the definition or expression of the image. This work has a certain physical depth due to
the cut and layered elements within it. I often incorporate collage juxtaposing printed
images with the deep painted texture. Possibly as a reflection of my design background I also like to incorporate text. My work sometimes has a playful element to
it but invariably investigates deeper themes.
I have always always been concerned with human
relationships framed by my own personal identity in my work. Childhood, black LGBTQ
experience, outlines, cut-out figures, animals serving as metaphor for human
conditions, texture; these core elements mingle with additional influences,
from a fascination with stained glass windows to 1970's-80's underground New
York club culture.
My paintings have been described as a body of work which is often quirky, decorative and highly colourful, but that often contains an undercurrent that disturbs the joke, pointing at deeper themes of race, class and sexuality which I guess points in the right direction. As a former DJ (hobby) who is still actively engaged in a digital Remix/Re-edit culture and who is passionate about underground disco music, some of my paintings pay tribute to that sub culture or are titled after significant songs. I must also pay homage to the one and only Ms Grace Jones who's outward freakishness at a time when it was less common for a black creative to be thus inspired me greatly as a visual maker.
I have recently started experimenting with using more three dimensional forms within my work.
Work has been shown in a variety of contexts (see below), and original artworks have found their way to many corners of the globe, including Japan, Singapore, Australia, Italy and the USA.
Artist interview: Gscene Magazine August 2020 (pages 54-55)
Selected Exhibitions
2023 The Discerning Eye, Mall Galleries, London
2023 Network Rail: Station Art, London Bridge station
2023 The Garden: Metropolis Central, Brighton
2022 Enliven Brighton Art Trail: Public commission Brighton & Hove
2022 Conversations: BMECP centre/Ledward centre, SEAS, Brighton
2021 BreathTAKING (Oxygen): Main gallery Phoenix Art Space, Brighton
2020 The Discerning Eye London (online)
2020 Nexus 2020: Brighton Dome & PLUS X innovation hub, Brighton (also online)
2019 Windrush presence: SEAS, Brighton
2019 Riot! celebrating Stonewall: SEAS, Brighton
2019 Constructed Geographies IV: Colonnade House, Worthing
2019 Constructed Geographies III: Hastings Arts Forum
2019 Constructed Geographies II: ONCA Gallery, Brighton
2018 Constructed Geographies I: Devonshire Collective, Eastbourne
2018 Colour my world: Brighton & Hove Pride
2018 The other open House: SEAS, Brighton
2016 Inextricable II: Digital Diaspora series, Brighton
2015/6 Group shows: Brush Gallery Brighton
2014 Freedom to live: Pride Arts festival, Brighton
2013 100 Artists for World Aids Day, Brighton Dome, Brighton
2013 Crossing the Teas: Celebrating the artistry of Irene Mensah, Jubilee Library, Brighton
2012 Postcard Installation with ArTree Artists Group: Studio 106, Hove
2012 Work in progress with ArTree Artists Group: The Basement, Brighton
2012 PBK2012: Desert Island Books, Jubilee library
2011 ArteTat, Brighton
2011 PBK2011: Silva Magna, Jubilee library Brighton
2011 ArteTat II, Studio 106, Hove
2009/10 PBK, Jubilee library, Brighton
2009 Contribution: Black history Month exhibition, Brighton
2007 Ostraka (open house), Brighton
2006/7 Brunswick Surgery, Hove
2002 Stoke Newington gallery, London
2001 Skylark Gallery, Southbank London
2001 Alternative Arts, Spitalfields, London