Much of my current work has developed during and since my recent yearlong residency in Chandigarh, North India.

Working predominantly in Indian ink and oil paint, inspiration for my new work came from the brutalist architecture of my family home town of Chandigarh and from the observation of environmental practices in the rural areas e.g. stubble burning by farmers which is an ongoing concern for Indian authorities and environmental activists.

I have always felt drawn to the straight lines and stark geometric shapes of the Chandigarh architecture. The architecture is a mix of modernist and brutalist, Le Corbusier - who designed the city has influenced a generation of architects towards modernism in the 20th century. I love the play of light and shadows on the city’s streets in the bright sunshine or at night under the bright lights. During my recent stay I had the opportunity to see these beautiful buildings through the different seasons. My smaller architectural paintings have influences of traditional miniatures and the content reflects my love of the Chandigarh skyline and urban structure. My deep interest in Indian heritage is reflected in the use of fine lines which connect to the tradition of henna painting.

While travelling I witnessed farmers burning fields. This had a profound impact leaving me compelled to observe, photograph and sketch. Several of my new paintings are based on the observations from the scorched fields in and around Uttarakhand and Haryana. I was instantly drawn in, the colossal image, despite being utterly destructive got my attention. The darkness of the charcoal, swirling smoke and shiny gold stubble remnants peeking through as if desperate. Tractor tires leaving deep curved lacerations in the soil as though the farmer was undertaking a brutal etching on the landscape.

I managed to chat with a farmer who explained the reason for burning the crops but the environmental concern just presents a giant contradiction. This experience fed into my series of paintings inspired from fields, flames and ashes plus the movement created by the wind. I was able to return days later to observe the remains. I collected some of the ashes to mix with my paint to use in this series.

For the paintings I worked with the canvases on the floor, the gestural marks formed using sticks and Indian brooms as well as brushes. The drawings are Indian ink on paper, again using a variety of tools.

I currently work in my studio in Coventry. I have exhibited extensively in the West Midlands, including the Open at Leamington Art Gallery and Museum in 2022.  Since returning from Chandigarh earlier in 2024, I have been short listed for the Royal Academy Summer Show and shown at Tarpey Gallery in Castle Donnington.