In-Shreds
“In-Shreds” are works centring around my process of exploring my inner-self; my identity and the meanings in my life, given the dangerous planet we now inhabit. This process has sometime felt like destruction, but ultimately deconstruction, with pivotal moments of discovery and new perspectives. Creating ‘gaps’ in the initial paintings, cutting them up and re-ordering them were powerful techniques for me to access deeper thoughts and feelings. Comfort came from the chaos, understanding from the unique images emerging, emotions from the spontaneous palette: not so much a representation but a felt experience.
Art and Change
Life is continuous change both within and without and art mysteriously tracks this eternal dynamic ~ the losses and the opportunities, the courage and the fear, the evident and the unknown, the past and the future through awareness and senses of meaning in the present. Exploring different values and cultures and pushing the boundaries can evoke red lines and also new freedoms. These learnings often push me outside my safe zone but, in doing so, have helped me connect more deeply with my feelings and are forging a definition of my new self.
In this transformation that art can offer, we are able to experience personal growth whilst witnessing the vibrant colours not only on the canvas but within our true selves. Embracing change, we can be architects of our destiny, crafting the narrative of our lives with courage, hope and creativity.
"In-Shreds" is a poignant reflection of a universal story: the search for identity, the yearning to belong, the innate need for dignity and love that resonate with everyone, as we all navigate our paths in our own unique ways.
Process of Work
This video shows my work process with In-Shreds, in which I deconstruct portraits to create new images. The mixed media techniques used in these artworks include collage, watercolour, coloured pencils, and ink. They are a fusion of patterns, colours, shapes, and typography and are available in various sizes. I view this body of work as a harmonious blend of art and graphic design.