About me
I’m lucky enough to live in Pembrokeshire and have done for over 35 years. Married, four kids, five grandchildren . I did a Pottery O level in about 1973, that’s the extent of my formal art training. I became very interested in Art in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s . Andy Goldsworthy’s work was a big thing for me . Those colours and the way he used what he found ! I found man made materials in heaps on local beaches which I visited with my kids. I started bringing it home with the intention to do something using it with my kids. They were not interested so I ended up making the picture . One thing led to another and I found myself exhibiting and have done lots of group and solo shows ever since. I do like to collaborate with fellow artists , currently am working with a stone carver, a graphic artist and a painter. I do like to use what I find. If my eye is drawn to it then I’m mostly going to take it home . My eye is drawn by shape, colour and pattern or texture. Graphics on the materials are always interesting . I like the way nature has “ patinated “ these materials . Sun bleached, scored and battered by waves or car wheels , I like that worn look. I particularly like the not knowing what I shall find. I’m always looking and I’m continually astonished and surprised by what I can find.
The art
Technically, my work is described as college. I use mixed man made materials which I have found. Once picked up, they get cleaned and prepared for use in pictures, so they are 2D (flat) collages. I like colour, pattern, letters, forms and shapes. Even in the small amount of rubbish which I pick up there is so much choice of all of the above and more. So my work tends to quite graphic, strongly coloured and patterned. They make striking images.
Nina Simone said “It’s the artists job to reflect their times.” In doing this I inevitably take a political stance. So my work has much of a propaganda element to it. I love all sorts of artists work but I must say my favourites are all 20th century. In particular I like POP Art. I think of myself as a POP Artist. I’m pretty sure I’m the only Welsh speaking POP Artist. My work reflects the vortex of our times, here’s the matter of human culture, lost and discarded wherever and ending up in Pembrokeshire. I pick it up and use it to reflect our selves back at us. I reflect our conflicted society which creates rubbish on a massive scale while destroying the natural world at an ever increasing pace and all the while watching and extolling wildlife programs. I’m trying to mend the world, one picture at a time.
Top Picks from the Gallery Shop
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