My work uses narrative and metaphor, among the oldest tools of art, to find new meaning in the familiar. It frequently depicts unexpected elements and dramatic lighting to create a kind of magic realism that evokes a story telling instinct. The work does not aim to be narrative in its own right, but to provide a kind of backdrop, a stage set for many possible narratives, with metaphors potent enough to compel the viewer, but subtle enough to be flexible in their interpretation. A common motif in my work is an empty chair suggesting the human presence without depicting an actual person. This allows the scene to act as an invitation for viewers to imagine themselves within it. If I were to include an actual figure, it would necessarily be young or old, male or female, dark skinned or light, or any number of other things. But a simple wooden chair can be anyone’s.
