Artist Statements

Tropical Scenery Series

Capturing the magic of sunlight as it filters through or reflects upon leaves and flowers is at the heart of my work. These fleeting moments of mesmerising glow, translucency, and dazzling light are what I seek to portray. I am drawn to these transient moments within the natural world, preserving them on canvas before they fade.

I work with acrylics on canvas to depict the vibrant flora of Southeast Asia, drawing from the photographs I take during my explorations. My intention is not merely to recreate the scene but to spark the viewer's imagination and evoke a sense of being immersed in the dense and vibrant world of tropical nature. The intricate patterns formed by the interplay of light and shadow, the repetition of leaves and petals, all contribute to the dynamic compositions in my work.

Through my paintings, I strive to capture the breathtaking beauty of nature while also embracing its inherent chaos—the unpredictable play of light and the untamed energy of life. In this way, my work is an homage to the complexity and wonder of the natural world, inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the intricate patterns and beauty that surround us.

 

 

Portrait of a Plant Series

In the "Portrait of a Plant" series, I engage with the venerable tradition of portraiture, a genre that has, for centuries, sought to capture the essence of the subject—be it a person, or a figure of importance. This series reimagines the concept of portraiture by shifting the focus from the human form to the intricate beauty and individuality of plants.

Historically, portraiture has been a means of preserving the legacy of individuals, often idealizing the subject with a sense of grandeur. In this series, I reinterpret these principles to elevate plants—elements of nature that are often overlooked as mere background—into subjects worthy of the same admiration. Each plant, with its unique form, texture, and colour becomes a sitter, a subject to be celebrated, studied, and immortalized.

Much like the classical portraitists who captured the subtleties of their subjects’ personalities through meticulous detail and composition, I aim to portray the distinctive character or "personality" of each plant. This approach differentiates the series from traditional Still Life, where objects are often arranged aesthetically as a whole. Here, the plants take on the role of individual beings, inviting the viewer to consider their quiet resilience, and their silent beauty.

Through this series, I hope to encourage a dialogue between the viewer and the natural world, one that recognizes plants not just as part of our environment, but as beings with their own stories, presence, and significance.