As French writer Malreaux stated, " ... to express himself the painter has only a mute art at his disposal - the voices of silence." I have given voice to certain paintings by adding literary allusions to works. I often happen upon literature that coincides directly and indirectly to my art. I find inspiration in the paintings of the Masters and particularly those painters influenced by Symbolism or Surrealism such as Goya, Redon and Picasso.

It is the spirit, or essence of an invented figure, that I strive to achieve in a painting. In this recent series, it is most often Pierrot, the saltimbanque or white-faced clown, whom first appeared in 17th century France, who I find metaphoric of the human soul. The white-face may be interpreted as a facade or barrier to keep safe and hidden the personal. Pierrot is the dispossessed spirit nourished by hope and passion - which is the sustenance of the refugee, the fugitive, of anyone in unforgiving circumstances. Ultimately, there is a personal identification with Pierrot - the artist as outsider and bohemian.

My work is informed by a sense of spiritual dislocation and isolation inherent in the 'carnival' of the modern western world. War and the depression had a profound effect upon my parents, whom both matured in adverse conditions and this is ingrained in me. I reference the self, as my work is also informed by my own brushes with adversity and consequent resilience. I blur reality with the imagined and invented - I prefer to hover on the precipice of the possible and the otherworldy - yet ultimately allow the viewer to develop their own conclusions.

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