01896 668972
07787 550927
E: rob@oninnesfree.fsnet.co.uk

Artist’s Statement.

"Every being seems in itself round" Karl Jaspers.

My work is formed through a relationship with two of the most important conditions of this precious human life we lead; the landscape, the background to man’s trial’s upon the earth and the spiritual presence of man, his hopes, dreams, desires, belief’s and spiritual endeavour. My work is inspired primarily by the sense of wonder and faith found in the altarpieces of the Northern Renaissance. Standing before the glowing colours of the Isenheim Altarpiece it is easy to imagine the wonder generated within the contemplative medieval believer. Other influences have evolved from a background in the decorative arts and an enthusiasm for church and temple structures and travel throughout the world. Paintings have often started through the contemplation of inspirational words such as those by Persian poet and mystic Rumi. Others have evoked qualities and titles following their creation with references to many faiths and spiritual ideologies (‘Sensing Beauty’ is a response to a book on Christian Art).

Through my paintings and drawings I search for that centre of meaning, which is the dwelling place of the true self and our true nature. Artistic creation is a spiritual act that can be found reflected within man and the land itself and reflected in the universal whole. In this way many of my abstract compositions may suggest landscape without being land, containing an inner glow –a harmony within – meditative, radiant and sensitive. They may be fuelled by fast strokes of paint or layers of washes that appear as impermanent as life itself. Sometimes there may be merely a composition of shapes – of circles suggesting the sun and moon – completeness and regeneration – God, the father and the Holy Spirit. Triangular shapes point towards the heavens suggesting glyphs and symbols from many faiths or the powerful energy of the pyramids of the east.