"The primary aim of my latest work is capturing an honest moment in the subject's face, a moment that exposes human nature and challenges perceptions of beauty. It is a representation of their character and their physical state of being. My work plays with preconceptions, causing conflict between mind and reality thus creating a cognitive dissonance. This can be shown through representational works, such as my portrait "Randy", an examination of image and identity through a friend who was scarred and blinded in a childhood accident. He is a gentle Christian from my church but yet can be judged as intimidating to some at first glance. Or my painting 'Tamara' who is beautiful, yet insecure about her body, which comes across in her shy demeanour. My work explores the theme of beauty and vulnurability in youth and I challenge certain ideas by distorting the figure, sometimes using turpentine to disrupt the surface of paint.

For me concepts manifest naturally from painting itself. The photo-realism aspect of portraiture plays an important part in revealing the characters emotion and to stir a reaction in the viewer. This sometimes plays in the form of voyeurism. I explore uncomfortable aspects of posing nude with its insecurities and issues of identity and difference. The portraits are full of intrigue in their subtle contradictions, giving them an ambiguous and awkward underlying tension. The portraits lie somewhere in between dream and reality. The naivety of youth is juxtaposed against darkness, and ethereal beauty streaked with corruption alongside a tentative challenge of political correctness.

I am diversely spontaneous in the way I work the paint. I don't see any limits to painting nor do I limit myself as an artist, and this is evident in the techniques I employ when using paint. Elements of abstract techniques are evident in my portraits, a blend of control and chance, the soft focus against the harsh mark-making. I like the play between order and disorder in painting.

Travelling is a key part of finding inspiration and subjects for me to paint. Also the surrounding Art world is essential as it provides a constant stream of inspiration and widens my creative potential. At the same time, I genuinely paint what my heart is telling me, and choose not to be led by contemporary fashions. There is a highly personal connection between my experiences and work that makes it immediately identifiable. There is an intimacy between the portrait and the viewer in my work and I want to challenge what it means to be human, appreciate and be in awe of the subjects which I have chosen. Their diversity makes it fascinating to look at and be connected to them. I want the viewer to come as close as they possibly can to the portrait and for the portraits to be exposed."

 

Born: Trollhättan, Sweden 1986, moved to England 1995

Studied: BA (Hons) Fine Art Painting, Central Saint Martins 2008

Studio: South Bermondsey, London