Artist Statement

I thoroughly explore the visual elements of fungi throughout my artwork. My inspiration derives from the mystical shapes and patterns of mushrooms and their mycelium. With passionate intention about the growth and cognition of fungi and plant life, my artwork portrays the intense energy of the world of fungi that is unknown to the naked eye.

My artwork takes these natural forms and adds a unique abstract and surrealist approach through painting with a variety of oil paint and acrylic. By combining a variety of natural mixed media materials, my artwork projects a visual representation of the life, growth, and mind of mushrooms. My artistic process begins with content of nature filled areas, particularly fungi, often editing them in photoshop using distortion tools and colour manipulation to transform the audiences view on the natural world into something far more exciting and euphoric. These techniques allow my work to have a sense of surrealism, mimicking the psychedelic effects these magical life forms portray. My artwork creates an altered perception and a juxtaposed view on something we see every day.

Inspired by the growth of mushrooms, and the act of growing varieties of fungi myself, I become more connected with their textures, patterns, and colours, allowing my creative influence to transform the natural shapes of fungi into works of art. My inspiration of form acts as a surreal interpretation and personification of the life of fungi. The abstract patterns I create represent the mind-altering journeys and ritualistic acts people have taken part in throughout time, continuing to actively inspire my style and composition.

Containing a hallucinogenic intensity, my work thoroughly represents the physical life and energy of fungi and their freedom in the natural world. Projecting a utopian and euphoric sense of nature, I create an exaggerated visualisation of the shape and movement of fungi through layers, textures, and colour. I aim for my work to reach audiences who have become disconnected with the natural world and steer them into the mystical and intellectual world of fungi, allowing them to realise the euphoric energy and power nature will always hold.