This painting, titled September 2020—April 2024 has been shortlisted for the John Ruskin Prize 2025. Selected from nearly 3000 entries, the shortlist, which called for artists to explore the theme ‘From the Eye to the Hand’ will be exhibited in January 2025 at Trinity Buoy Wharf. A total of 87 works by 85 artists, makers and innovators were selected by Andrew Nairne OBE: Director, Kettles Yard, Prof Anita Taylor: Dean of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design at the University of Dundee, Charles.O.Job: Architect and designer, Nichola Johnson OBE FSA: a Director of the Guild of St George, Emma Stibbon RA: Artist & Royal Academician.

The same painting also features in the latest edition of Artists & Illustrators magazine – excerpt from Picture This below:

“There are certain objects which have become synonymous within my practice; objects which I use as surfaces for painting onto. I was immediately drawn to this oak door, principally because of the story its face told: the ghost traces of large ornate strap-hinges and holes where once handle and lock turned; a radius of screw holes which seem to form the rays of a sun.

This door must be 250 years old. How many families lived behind it? What events did it stoically endure? How many hundreds of thousands of times was it opened, closed, locked, knocked, slammed? Doors are familiar, essential items, and each conjures a story and bears witness to the life it's led.

In around 2018, I realised I was almost exclusively making artwork about the sea. I wasn't living near the sea at the time, but I was continually preoccupied with water. In 2014, I lived in the Almería arid zone for a short time and experienced what it was like to go about daily life with a serious shortage of water. Then, the following year, in 2015, I spent time in Venice and witnessed the opposite extreme. Both experiences had an impact on me, led to exhibitions and contributed to a strong and long-lasting desire to use my art practice as a means to explore environmental issues related to water.

My work aims to celebrate the sea, whilst posing serious questions about its current vulnerability. I hope that this painting might open a dialogue, triggering contemplation on the importance of our oceans.”