Artist statement

Perpetual Solitude explores the impact of the industrial revolution, the densification of people caused by development and the massive increase in building construction. This work attempts to show that urban development does not make a community or, in fact, a home. It depicts personal feelings of the intense, physical closeness of development, and yet, the solitude of these environments. A singular lit window in the midst of the dark monochromatic tones represents the lack of meaningful connections and evokes the isolation of being in a human-inhabited environment. The distortion of perspective conjures feelings of imposing industrialisation and giddying motion of heights. This suggestion of movement seeks to confuse the viewer and suggest notions of chaos and intimidation that are synonymous with impersonal and lonely urban environments.

Process

A series of original hand-drawn and detailed graphite drawings of high-rise buildings with differing perspectives were created and then individually photographed. Using Adobe Photoshop, multiple variations of the set of images were layered and reconfigured to create a fictitious, industrialised cityscape vista. One window within the image was then digitally coloured to suggest the presence of life within this busy metropolis, yet also evoking themes of loneliness and isolation. The final image was then printed on a large format inkjet printer onto heavy GSM cartridge paper.

About the artist

Art serves as a profound teacher, imparting lessons that resonate both with the creator and the observer. For artists, the canvas becomes a reflective space where emotions, ideas, and identities are explored and expressed, fostering self-discovery, and honing creative skills. The process of artistic creation instils problem-solving, critical thinking, and the ability to communicate abstract concepts. Meanwhile, as an audience, individuals gaining insights into diverse perspectives and cultural nuances. Whether handling the brush or gazing upon the canvas, people find in art a universal classroom where creativity, reflection, and a deeper understanding of the human experience converge.