Bored at the Gallery, Acrylic on Fabriano paper, 200 x 150 cm, 2023 . Istanbul, Türkiye (Turkey)
My artistic journey encountered an intriguing muse - sleepers. Back in my student days, it acted as the perfect shield, allowing me to sketch unnoticed, lest my intense gaze invited undue attention. A simple glance had the power to shift the atmosphere, making people uneasy. It dawned on me that when sleepers stirred, their body language transformed, and the connection I sought to capture altered. It was then that I realized, in slumber, we are truly ourselves.
My path took a scenic route during my MA at Goldsmiths, involving a daily pilgrimage from Wimbledon to the heart of East London. The long commute birthed newfound inspiration on a grand canvas. Sleepers evolved into a series, adapting materials as the seasons of life dictated. The conscious sleepers of Caracas witnessed my artistic metamorphosis, drawing inspiration from global imagery.
Turkey became my muse for the Colossus series, reigniting my passion for large-scale drawings. There's a certain magic in creating monumental art, where the interplay between space and audience becomes enchanting. The emotions evoked are unparalleled, especially when the characters are drawn from real-life experiences.
"The Cook" emerged during my SAC artist residency in Chiang Mai, sparking an exploration of 'inside out.' Sunlight streaming into my studio, framed by windows, fueled my creative energy. After a transformative 6-day meditation retreat at U Mong Temple, conveniently situated across the street, I felt compelled to paint on the studio's windows.
As with my drawings, the windows offered a unique perspective. They dissolved the notion of front and back, enabling me to create on a translucent canvas. Silk, my chosen medium, revolutionized my approach. No longer constrained by the need for erasures, it embraced mistakes as part of the journey. It offered transparency and portability, becoming a versatile companion in my artistic voyage.
Tomorrow, my dear friends in London will have the privilege of witnessing my creation, "The Cook," shortlisted for the prestigious Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize. It's a culmination of my artistic odyssey in Thailand, a testament to the ever-evolving nature of my craft.
Join Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2023 Exhibition:
Address: Trinity Buoy Wharf, 64 Orchard Place, London, E14 0JY, United Kingdom
Exhibition Dates: September 29 to October 15, 2023
Experience the enchantment where artistry meets revelation.