Born and raised in Kenya, I graduated from the Byam Shaw School of Art, London (’87) with distinction, later gaining a PGCE at Exeter University. I have been developing my art over many years (drawings, paintings, mixed media work and sculptures), exhibiting extensively. Now living in Somerset, I participate in Somerset Art Works Events, run projects and workshops within schools and the wider community and work to private and public commission. Recently the winner of Wildlife Artist of the Year '09 in the 3-d category, my work is currently represented by the Fire and Iron Gallery, Surrey and Ginger Fig Gallery, Taunton.
My work focuses primarily on steel, copper and wire sculptures, often created out of found and scrap materials, based on organic forms in nature. I moved into steel and wire because of its capacity to produce strong linear structures, the starkness and contrast of steel against natural textures and the earthiness of rust as it ages. The wire adds a more delicate, colourful dimension.
Drawing is usually my starting point. The woven coloured wires in some of my sculptures have parallels with the textures and marks in my studies, becoming drawings in space. Some of my figurative pieces are simply 3d academic linear studies.
My upbringing and frequent trips to Kenya have a strong bearing on the earthy, skeletal, organic, exaggerated forms, textures and colours with which I work. I have always been intrigued by nests and the process of weaving intricate structures; the sculptural forms of cocoons and anthills are awesome; insects, generally, fascinate me with their bulbous, solid structures on spiky pincer-pointed legs.
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