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The paintings contain many references to gesture and symbols, often using iconography 'out of context' in a gentle, humorous and ironic manner. None of these comments are obvious but do contain subtle political and social messages e.g. - Alien. In a bland surburban environment a girl of mixed African/European blood is contrasted with a blow-up 'Alien' - a comment about racism in a white society.

None of the objects in the paintings are natural or organic - especially objects held by figures - a comment on alienation urbanism and materialism. None of the clothes the figures wear are in any way fashionable. The gestures the figures make often refer to previous periods of art e.g. Graeco-Roman/Renaissance/Mannerism - counter - reformation art. In modern settings they lose their previolus meanings and take on new ones.

Some of the paintings e.g. 'That Certain Smile' (the teeth on the window sill) are vaguely sinister and threatening - but also amusing. In 'Rude Girl' a girl makes an obscene gesture (in a Renaissance style) at... Globalisation/Branding/over production/the emptiness of Western life? In 'Two Pious Girls' -- Fareham' two girls experience a kind of religious rapture - which seems absurd and ridiculous in such an everyday scene - but also oddly touching and affectionate. I'm not really laughing at religion - its just far from my sceptical experience.

On a more positive note in 'Jonathan on the Floor' an Afro-European boy is surrounded by objects and cloths from many different cultures - a positive affirmation of multi-culturalism. In 'Memories of Africa' and 'African Dancer', European and African objects intermingle in harmony. In 'the Devil ...probably' a young girl calmly ignores a devil doll - which turns away in despair.

Later paintings often refer to the neo classical tradition,sometimes in a humorous,affectionate manner, e.g.-'2 Roman woman and a fish' and 'the dawn of civilisation',or sometimes within a contemporary context,e.g.-.'Cornucopia' and 'warrior'.In this type of "down-market" neo-classicism issues such as poverty and militarism are explored.

The paintings are mainly watercolours/gouaches. There are some oils and acrylics. Some works are intentionally 'unpainterly'. These seek clarity in a deliberately 'unfussy', impersonal figurative style. Later paintings are more 'painterly' in some cases..

Rude Girl

2000
Watercolour
86 x 68cms

Warrior

2005
Watercolour
43 x 34cms

Jonathan on the the Floor

1998
Watercolour
86 x 68cms

The Student

2005
Watercolour
43 x 34 cms

Fruits if the Earth

1999
Watercpolour
86 x 68cms

Pixie

2005
oil on canvas
36 x 36cms

Thursday Noon Summer

2005
oil on canvas
44cms x 33cms

The War on Terror

2005
Oil on canvas
44cms x 35cms

The Edge of the Forest

2008
Acrylics
40cm x 40cm

On a Street Near You 4

2007
Acrylics
70cm x 50cm

On a Street Near You 1

2007
Acrylics
80 x50cm

The edge of the Forest 2

2008
Acrylics
80cm x 110cm

The Edge of the Forest 3

2007
40cm x 40cm

On a Street Near You 3

2007
80 x50cm

On a Street Near You 2

2007
Acrylics
80 x50cm

Emily Sad

2006
drawing
80cm x 50cm

Justina

2006
drawing