Confined Conditions
Exploring memories, emotional states and battles fought with the inner voice, Confined Conditions consists of 20 various ink paintings crafted within and captured beneath the clear surface of an acrylic box. Each work is sized at 9,650px by 13,824px. The weight of nostalgia, fluctuating states of mind, sensitivity of time, effects of isolation and relationship with self are key themes across the series.
Confined Conditions is an expressive exploration of memories, emotional states and battles fought with the inner voice. Each piece is a digitally altered capture (9,650px x 13,824px) of various ink paintings beneath the clear surface of an A4 acrylic box, with its walls naturally creating a frame and feeling of presence for each work. The weight of nostalgia, fluctuating states of mind, sensitivity of time, effects of isolation and relationship with self are key themes across the series.
Blue World
Inspired by scanography artists Mariëtte Kotzé & Jaime Ruas, the process of painting within the confines of a box and capturing it from below revealed intriguing connections over months of experimentation.
Cycles
Using the same box throughout, with compositions restricted by its walls, all elements once scanned would need to be vigorously cleaned and scrubbed away before beginning again. Speaking to the idea of ‘boxed consciousness’, old emotionally charged memories were revisited, where we feel hostage to the deception of the mind, before being able to let go, ‘clean up’ and move on. These works jump from one state to another, echoing the heavy yet fragile ups and downs of life and mental health.
Episodes
Hidden Aches
Mixing various inks and liquids with different methods of application, combined with long scans to capture at extreme detail, the process blends chance and intention with elements of scarcity, stillness and surprise. To me they are less of a ‘quick snap’, and rather a long gaze and download of crafted ‘locations’ my heart and mind have been before.
Self Confrontations
Scanning the underside of the plexiglass surface also meant I was capturing the rear application of paint, rather than what usually faces us. Being on ‘the other side’ felt symbolic of new perspectives I’ve gained through therapy, psychedelic experiences and growing up – a journey of expression and understanding.
Childhood
Trapped
When the Sun Goes Down
Drawing on my background in photography and departing from my usual process of completely digitally transforming physical cardstock paintings, it was empowering to bring more of my cathartic physical painting process directly to the scanner. With a raw, melancholic undertone to this collection, there’s also still a great sense of gratitude I hold throughout – resonating deeply with my therapeutic and experimental relationship with art and abstraction.
Voice Contagion
Playground
Mind Melt
Deep Down
Entering Dreams
Brain Wave
Breakthrough
Clash
Chaser
Mind Mines
Catastrophizing
Wrecked