House Paint and Acrylic on wood panel
60 × 40cm
House Paint and Acrylic on wood panel
60 × 40cm
House Paint and Acrylic on wood panel
60 × 40cm
“Take a long hard look at yourself” is a poignant reflection of a challenging period in my recent past, when life seemed to be heading in the wrong direction. My marriage ended, I lost my job, and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic hit all at once, leaving me feeling lost and making poor life choices. I found myself drinking and smoking way too much and unable to see the brightness or opportunities around me, blind to the possibilities that lay ahead.
This artwork, created using layers of acrylic on the reverse side of glass, serves as a metaphor for my journey during this time. I built up layers of paint, only to scratch them away with blades and wire brushes, searching for the good that lay underneath. The layers represent the my own experiences and emotions, revealing a sense of depth and complexity. The process of reworking the layers resembles my own process of self-reflection, as I dug deep to find the light amidst the darkness.
“Take a long hard look at yourself” is a testament to resilience, self-discovery, and the power of artistic expression. It serves as a reminder that even in the midst of difficult times, there is always potential for growth, change, and ultimately finding a brighter path forward.
Acrylic on Glass 90 x 60cm
Finalist in The Burwood Art Prize 2024
Acrylic on Glass
70 x 50cm
Size 96 × 96cm Acrylic on reclaimed window
TITLE - Hello, is it me you’re looking for?
This self-portrait is painted on the reverse side of a reclaimed wooden window, using the object itself as both support and metaphor. The artist is shown pulling back the curtains, caught in a moment between concealment and exposure. Positioned at the threshold of
the window, he looks outward while also meeting the viewer’s gaze, occupying the space between private interior and public world.
The painting was developed through an additive and subtractive process. Layers of acrylic paint were repeatedly applied and then scraped back with knives and wire brushes before being repainted. This cyclical method leaves traces of earlier layers embedded in the
surface, allowing the painting’s history to remain visible. The process mirrors the way
identity is formed through accumulation, revision and time.
The reclaimed window frame brings its own past into the work. Weathered and repurposed, it carries the marks of previous lives and contexts. By painting on the reverse side of the glass, the portrait sits physically behind the surface, reinforcing the sensation that the viewer is looking through a window rather than simply at an image.
The title, drawn from the familiar lyric, introduces a note of curiosity and uncertainty. In the act of opening the curtains, the artist reveals himself while simultaneously questioning recognition and connection. The painting becomes an exchange of gazes, an encounter between artist and viewer.
In this suspended moment of looking out and being looked at, the portrait asks a simple question: when we search for someone, what is it we are really hoping to see?
FINALIST @ The Kennedy Art Prize 2023
90 x 60cm Acrylic on glass, textile background
My painting of ‘Adwoa’ (Mondays child) uses the reverse side of glass as the canvas, adding texture and depth to the image. Multiple layers of acrylic paint, along with scraping techniques, reveal hidden shapes and textures, inviting viewers to explore the intricate details. Through the clear glass we see Ghanaian cloth. The colours of the cloth each hold symbolism: gold = status/serenity, yellow = fertility, green = renewal, red = passion, black = union with ancestors/spiritual awareness.
Finalist @ The Blacktown Art Prize 2024
Acrylic on Glass with fabric background
90 x 60cm
90 x 60cm Acrylic on glass
Japanese fabric background
Acrylic on Glass with fabric background
Acrylic on wood
120 x 70cm
60 x 60 Acrylic on wood
