Outside the Box is a series of domestic exteriors. Through familiar but uncanny
scenes, I observe the home as a physical, psychological, and social space. These
paintings document my inner world as I navigate an evolving set of roles,
duties, and expectations based around the home. The paintings also serve as
expressions of gratitude, immortalising the fleeting moments they capture.
Potted plants, garden edges, walls, and fences become motifs through which I
examine the idea of ‘boundaries’. These structures embody a quiet tension,
simultaneously creating safety while defining limitations. Outdoor furniture, pet
enclosures, washing lines and household objects imply a human presence in the
scenes. These everyday items carry stories of care, labour, routines and
relationships intertwining with the domestic habitat.
scenes, I observe the home as a physical, psychological, and social space. These
paintings document my inner world as I navigate an evolving set of roles,
duties, and expectations based around the home. The paintings also serve as
expressions of gratitude, immortalising the fleeting moments they capture.
Potted plants, garden edges, walls, and fences become motifs through which I
examine the idea of ‘boundaries’. These structures embody a quiet tension,
simultaneously creating safety while defining limitations. Outdoor furniture, pet
enclosures, washing lines and household objects imply a human presence in the
scenes. These everyday items carry stories of care, labour, routines and
relationships intertwining with the domestic habitat.
Throughout the process of developing this exhibition, I have been consciously
striving to create a safe, comfortable, and orderly domestic life. At the same
time I was reflecting heavily on the home as a host of vulnerability, confusion,
and tension. Habits, traditions, and common objects around the home are loaded
with associations and have potential to trigger memories. These paintings draw
on this emotional landscape, where safety and tension, stability and change,
exist side by side.
I take an industrious approach to my work, and I value strength and durability
as well as beauty. I have painted with acrylic on wood panel for this entire
series, and incorporated salvaged or repurposed materials throughout. Found
elements imbue the works with their own mysterious histories and I enjoy
giving them a new life. All the frames are hand made by my partner Mario in
our garage, mostly from our collection of vintage mouldings. The framing
completes each work, and extends the exhibition's themes of care,
resourcefulness, preservation, and personal connection.
