b. 1994 in London. I graduated from City & Guilds of London Art School in 2017 with First Class Honours.
My paintings are informed by my everyday experiences and observations. They are autobiographical; sometimes confessional, sometimes irreverent and frequently handled with a humorous sense of pathos. I focus on situations that either involve me, or others that I have witnessed, in public and private moments that pass by as unremarkable, at a glance. But documenting these unreported tragedies in paint is, for me, an act of discovery. I want my imagery to feel familiar to as many people as possible; to draw out the ridiculous comedy of certain shared rituals and behaviours. I begin by recording things I see (or recall) in simple line drawing to economise on the essence of the situation. I have created simplified humanoid characters, which lend a sort of parody of the real world in the way that cartoons do. These avatars have oversized heads and are hermetically sealed by an absence of facial features, which is an exaggerated reflection on human interaction in the post digital age – these figures appear idiotically isolated, but adorned with earpieces, branded items of clothing and objects that are important to consumption and communication. I use the visual language of branding and interplay between graphic and painterly surfaces to create optical confusion, echoing the way that our real and digital lives are merged.
Projects
- Aftersun, 2017, oil, acrylic and spray paint on canvas, 150cm x 200cmI am presenting the behaviours that I witness and partake in. I reflect the superficiality of consumer culture by focusing on surface and colour in the tradition of Pop Art. As with Pop, my paintings are a part of the world they depict. I use humour to disarm the viewer. They are drawn in by the visual appearance of the colour and bold design and cartoon looking character but then a darker or more cynical message comes through.
- Carpe Diem, 2017, oil, acrylic and spray paint on canvas, 130cm x 170cmThe painting is a responce to the 24 hours McDonalds Drive Thru I just moved next to. In my work I look at life as it is experienced at first hand and through screens - living in a contemporary consumer culture has both digital and analogue dimensions and my painting process reflects this duality. After drawing with pencil on paper I embellish and develop my designs on photoshop, using sourced imagery from the internet.
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Projects credited in
- Top 100 Creative SuperheroesTo celebrate the launch of Creative Social’s 3rd book, Creative Superpowers: Equip yourself for the Age of Creativity, we have pulled together a list of our Top 100 Creative Superheroes. These are people that we believe are brilliant examples of makers, hackers, thieves and teachers and are helping to define the upcoming Age of Creativity. We have tried to make the list as diverse as possible (because diversity in itself breeds creativity) and is made up of architects, artists, authors, change-m
- Championing Diversity: Meet the LGBT+ Creative Leaders of TomorrowWhilst diversity in the Creative Industries is flourishing, there’s still tracks to be made towards equality and inclusivity for all. Discover fresh ideas from people changing perspectives for the better, as nominated by 8 creative icons from across the globe, brought together by WeTransfer and The Dots.50
Work history
Painter
London, United KingdomFreelance
Skills
- Art
- Contemporary art
- Pop Culture
- Pop Art
- Fine Art
- Fine Artist
- Acrylic Paint
- Spray Paint
- Color
- Humour
Education
Art and Design Foundation Diploma
London, United Kingdom
BA(Hons) Fine Art Painting
- London, United Kingdom
The Fine Art BA (Hons) degree is one of the most challenging and creative courses you can study. Contemporary and historical skills, theories and materials; art histories; visual and contextual research; entrepreneurship and project management: at City & Guilds of London Art School we genuinely take time to support and challenge you in all these areas, enabling you to achieve exceptional results and move on to professional practice or further study with confidence and experience. We don’t believe in a ‘house style’; this is an Art School where, with focus and ambition, you can fully explore ways of making and thinking, and develop your own artistic ‘voice’.
This three-year full time course is validated by Birmingham City University’s School of Art; regular checks by the Quality Assurance Agency confirm the standard of our provision and our external examiners attest to our consistently high standards and results.
Awards
The Board of Trustees Prize
Idun Ravndal Travel Prize
An annual award has been initiated in memory of Idun Ravndal, a Norwegian painter who graduated from the City & Guilds of London Art School in 1994.
As a painter, Idun was inspired equally by the scenic grandeur of her native land and by the particular wilderness character of Iceland, but applications are not limited to students of Painting. Both Norway and Iceland are rich in Viking history and both conservators and carvers must be interested in the prospect of a working visit.
The value of the award is £1,000 and the travel must be either to Iceland or Norway.
Students should submit a project for competitive appraisal in a carefully documented form. The purpose of the project and its particular relevance to past and future work will be of especial concern. Particulars of duration and specific destinations must be included, together with a realistic and detailed estimation of all costs likely to be incurred.+ Show more