General

I have been lucky that I have been able to use my artistic flair throughout my working life. However, I made a decision in 1999 to devote myself to full time art. After completing an art foundation course I undertook full time education, eventually graduating with a first class honours degree in Fine Art and Photography.
Following my degree, I moved to London, and, after initially working in a studio in Deptford, transferred to a live/work unit in the East End of London.

I began making paper sculpture using the 'Sliceform method' on my degree course and it has now become my main way of constructing pieces. A decision that I am pleased to have made as it led to exhibiting at the Royal Academy Summer Show in 2004.

Photographs are taken of these sculptures using a Canon 5D or Fuji S2 Pro digital SLR camera mounted on a Unilock tripod. This specialist tripod has a multiway cranked bar which enables me to place the camera at any angle and very close to the sculptures. A Nikkor 24-85mm lens gives me the flexibility to achieve any shot I need to take, occasionally using the macro setting for close up shots.

Adobe Photoshop is used to enhance the photographs. Although it is time consuming I find it artistically rewarding. The images are then printed in limited editions with pigment inks on archival paper.

Sliceforms

My recent paper sculptures have been made by 'Sliceforms'. This method, discovered in a Tarquin publication produced by John Sharp, is an ideal way to make use of colour and form. As each side of the paper can be coloured I have four faces to interact together and pieces can be subtle or dramatic by contrasting heights and colourways. Careful lighting, at the photographic stage, creates soft or dramatic shadows, adding to the 3D qualities of the final prints.

Their 'skeleton' cross sections appear solid due to the brains interpretation of the structure. They are very flexible and can in fact be folded flat and reformed into shape easily, much to the delight of the onlooker.

A link to Tarquin publications by John Sharp can be found on the Links page. 'Sliceforms' contains models which can be cut out and made and 'Surfaces' gives greater depth to the subject.

Future exhibitions

Morph Group Exhibition, Derby Museum and Art Gallery, Derbyshire 2nd February 2008 - 23rd March 2008

Past exhibitions

Derby Sketching Club Guildhall Exhibition October 1997
Derby Sketching Club Rose Bowl Exhibition 1998 - Highly Commended piece
Neuhaus Group Exhibition, Wirksworth Art and Architecture Trail 2001
Oils Studio Group Exhibition, Deptford, London, November 2003
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, London, Summer 2004
Great Christmas Art Fair, Alexandra Palace, London, November 2006
Untitled Gallery Exhibition, Adam Street Private Members Club, London, 2 - 8 April 2007
Hertfordshire Contemporary Art Show, Ware, Hertfordshire, 5 - 7 May 2007
Untitled Gallery Exhibition, Adam Street Private Members Club, London, 4th November 2007