This work was auctioned off as a part of a fundraising initiative organised by Frans Inc and hosted by Sydney College of the Arts. All funds raised from the exhibition go towards support programs for people with disabilities.

This painting is representative of a new body of work I am working on (in conjunction with my continuing postal themed assemblages and paintings - new images to come soon). The paintings are an exploration into a process I began to experiment with at art school where I became inspired by Abstract Expressionism (Colour-field Painting, Lyrical Abstraction) and Asian art. As a ceramics major, the influence of Asian art is undeniable and the alchemical responses I discovered through the development of an unconventional firing method spurred my interest in the element of chance and unpredictable mark making that creates a way of capturing a precise moment in time.

The work is inspired by nature, the healing potential of colour and painted imagery that can work as a pathway to the workings of the subconscious and the unknown. The work makes something new from the paradoxical combination of a focused intent and willingness to surrender.

After Roy - (Unintentional artist & hunter of treasure)

"After Roy (Unintentional Artist & Hunter of Treasure)" pays homeage to my philatelic Great Grandfather & comments on society's rapidly changing methods of communication.

Roy was an avid collector of materials (which some would call rubbish - including cigarette boxes, cans etc.). He would give life to these found objects creating usually functional items that I would consider art pieces. In response to his inspiring creativity I have made assemblages using matchboxes & old stamps.

There has been much debate as to whether advances in information technologies spell the demise of the written letter as email & social networking sites compete with traditional postal mail. Even though most people seem to prefer the personal touch of a written letter It seems that the frantic pace of modern life may have destroyed forever the intimacy & charm of the old fashioned posted letter & I wish to recreate this sense of intimacy & charm in the work.The stamps are much more than a means of receipt that postage has been paid & in this work they represent not only the postal service but the loss of minature works of art & treasured collectibles (to Roy) that used to be experienced daily in our letterboxes.