"Colliding Spaces" came about after indulging in some experimentation. As ever, I never know where my creativity will take me and as there is no end point in mind, I will drift along in meditative mode deeply intwined and absorbed in my artwork with no expectations other than the fact that I might just create something amazing! Or I might not. It's a process that can be so rewarding. This collection started off as maybe five completed pieces to start with but I found that as I went along, the process just kept on giving. As a result, this collection grew to what is now ten pieces! There is no doubt that I view this collection of images as something of a revelation; for it became evident that I was following a different path altogether, migrating away from my usual style. In this collection, gone are the magical tree, forest, woodlands or spiritual images that have been my mainstay for many years. These images are deeper, darker in some respects, grittier and more abstract than ever before. Am I thankful for this (temporary or not?) change in direction? Yes, I am. Many artists will follow a certain style over the course of their careers, hardly deviating from what they are known for, while some will change direction once in a while. And that is good, for stagnation isn't a desirable thing. We artists need to shock occasionally. We risk all by doing so. A few years ago, I wouldn't have considered tearing down my boundaries. I would have stayed safe in my comfort zone. But now......I have challenged the authority of my regular work in daring to imagine something more edgier, more avant-garde perhaps while maintaining my artistic freedom. And it feels great!
So what is the idea with "Colliding Spaces"? Well, just imagine a chaotic and calamitous event where two or more opposing dimensions - ours and an alternative - temporarily collide and rip through each other, causing a disruption to space-time. Our Universe is so finely balanced, that this "what if" scenario would suddenly disrupt and challenge everything ever knew about the Universe and our connection with it. But instead of exploring and illustrating this idea in a cosmic and outer space way, I have brought my imagination closer to home using real places. So just imagine that if you are out somewhere and suddenly you experience some kind of portal or ripple in front of you, where your surroundings suddenly distort and tear apart, where you can see through to another Universe...? Sounds like something from the drama "His Dark Materials" doesn't it? I have of course gone pretty awol in my imaginings, but these images are intended to be eye-popping and very surreal. Of course this all sounds like science fiction, but I am unashamedly influenced by the genre. As I am by the paranormal. But the difference is that there have been reports of strange paranormal events that touch upon this idea. For example, where people have turned a corner somewhere and suddenly seen themselves up ahead. Or reports of time "freezing" and the opening of portals in paranormal hotspots.....I think there is much we don't know about our Universe.......
This new collection is available as direct prints on aluminium panels and metallic paper prints. As ever all of these images have been created using the medias of photography, digital painting and special effects software. No AI has been used in the making of these images and all the locations featured in these images have been shot in my home county of Cornwall. Navigate to the shop page and select the drop down "Colliding Spaces Collection" or from the "Featured Collections" link on the home page, to see the full collection.
