My art practice has been the observation of how we value others through class, wealth and privilege.

A large influence has been based on my experiences volunteering for the Streetfood Penzance Project, a charity who’s remit is to provide a hot meal to the homeless and vulnerable at six every evening, seven days a week. My exhibition ‘human(e)’ is based on true first-hand accounts of the hardship, torment and alienation experienced by the guests.

In January 2021 I made the decision to change the focus of my work towards the opposite end of the wealth spectrum, from the extreme poverty in local communities to the extreme wealth of individuals in the UK and globally. I also wanted to pursue the strand of my art practice of basing my art on truth and to challenge the accepted norms that were occurring in our society, ie: that it was acceptable to have extreme wealth whilst extreme poverty in the world is so prevalent and increasing.

Environmental making

My current art process (along with film and sculpture) has developed over the last few years and has now established itself as etching in to metal plates using a Copper Sulphate/salt /water solution. This method of etching is relatively safe and environmentally friendly (in comparison with acid based etching techniques). The copper sulphate crystals are readily available from farm supply shops and are used by farms as a disinfectant in foot baths for cattle. There is still an environmental impact from the waste sludge produced by the chemical reaction between the metal and the copper sulphate but I prevent this from entering the water supply by straining and re-using the water. The metal plates I etch on are used recycled printing plates sourced from a printing company I live opposite to eliminate any carbon footprint. The wood for the frames I construct to mount the plates on are sourced from discarded wood from skips and building sites.