This new body of work explores the relationship between time, place and memory – using the season of summer as an emotional landscape, rather than a purely visual one, since it holds some of my dearest childhood memories. It will be a series of oil paintings depicting summery scenes that aim to evoke and recreate a sense of peace, wonder and weightlessness that I experienced growing up and am constantly striving to find my way back to.
We currently live in very turbulent times. Among so much social and political uncertainty, I believe there is value in creating space for presence, gratitude and childlike wonder. I find nostalgia to be a powerful emotion. It not only allows us to look back on our past with fondness, but encourages us to approach the future with more hope and a new incentive to recover what we might have lost along the way.
'Levitating' is the first completed work of this series.
'Levitating' is the first completed work of this series.
This painting was inspired by carefree summer holidays and the nostalgia and gratitude I feel when I think back on the technicolour summers of my childhood. The highly saturated colours and exaggerated details aim to portray the world as seen through a child's eye. At the same time, the painting depicts my adult self swimming to convey the feeling of reconnecting with the kind of inner peace, confidence and awe I felt as a kid. I hope it inspires others to do the same; to strive to be fully present when life allows for moments of weightlessness. To levitate for a while, before getting back on the boat.
The colour of the water has a tendency to change slightly throughout the day – leaning more blue when viewed in early morning light and green in the afternoon sun. While this is not something I specifically planned for, I find this effect to be reminiscent of the every-changing nature of the sea, nature and even life itself.
The colour of the water has a tendency to change slightly throughout the day – leaning more blue when viewed in early morning light and green in the afternoon sun. While this is not something I specifically planned for, I find this effect to be reminiscent of the every-changing nature of the sea, nature and even life itself.