Magic Carpet Ride

About

I created this series during lockdown and the global Black Lives Matter movement. The work is thoughtful and a longing for greater humanity.

I produced this series of paintings throughout quarantine, spent mainly by the coast. Since I was young, I’ve always loved being by water due it’s calming nature. I’ve found a way to incorporate that relaxed, fluid feeling into my paintings, by adding water to the acrylic paint and applying it onto unprimed canvas.

It’s really important to me that the work has a nostalgic quality to it. Abstract painting for me is America in the 1940’s so I am trying to revive it in my own way in the 21st century.

The series is called ‘Magic Carpet Ride,’ referencing escapism, fluidity and freedom. An image that I continually drew on was the open road. I want the viewer to feel the visual rhythms that inspired me. The accompanying music that the works are named after, are there to crystallise a more hopeful and optimistic time.

My semi-religious background has always made me question my faith from a young age, so in some ways, I like to think of my paintings as murals for atheists. I like creating heaven-like scenes that occupy large, physical spaces. Included within the works are references to Pre-Raphaelite paintings, stories about Mama Cass in the 60’s and the whole of Niel Young’s album ‘Harvest’.