His ‘n’ Hers, 2007, oil on wooden cabinet with mirrors

Some of my paintings take a very long time to make, but this painting was finished in three quick stages which I always trust as a sign for direct speaking of the subconscious, and having found the right form for the initial feeling-idea.

The subject is a mask I bought from a local charity shop that represents both Punch and Judy by splitting the features down the middle. I have now painted the mask several times but never as straight representation – each time I have contrived to represent the two halves as being distinct male and female while obviously sharing many similarities. Again, the view here is a privileged one – the viewer in the gallery only sees one face at a time (plus their own features reflected in the sliding mirrors).

This mask has become a symbol to me of many things, but perhaps primarily of a dualistic existence that nonetheless contains the seeds of unity; similar to a yin-yang symbol. Of course each viewer brings to the work of art their own stock of private imagery and symbolism, and whatever meanings I may have intended the artwork must also be essentially an empty vessel waiting to be filled.

Luminosa; 2004-5, oil on paper mounted on cardboard box 39.4 x 59 x 15 cm

The chandelier was found, bent and broken, in a South London street near to where I used to live in Tulse Hill. Once I’d ascertained the chandelier still worked electrically and I’d sourced some candle-effect light bulbs, a chain of associations started to form in my mind between the object, an old fruit box I was using for storage but whose graphics interested me, and a possible artwork.

Initially I intended only to make a painting on the box leaving the viewer to make the connection between the graphics and the object, but as the painting progressed the idea of incorporating the working chandelier increasingly took hold, forcing me to consider ways in which this could happen. In the gallery the painting is exhibited at an angle of approximately 30 degrees, on a plinth that contains the working chandelier within a mirrored interior that reflects the flickering lights repeatedly. The viewer can see this through a gap between the plinth and cardboard box.

Installation view Norwich EAST International 2007

From left to right; Night & Day, Luminosa, Consumer's Pride, Study for Consumer's Pride, Clock, Punch & Judy, His 'n' Hers

Ghost 2007

(2 views showing light effect)

Oil on canvas mounted on wooden box containing light bulb with fitting, plastic suit, wire coat hanger, shoes

Ecclesiastes 2002

Oil and permanent marker on mirror

Doubt 1998

Watercolour, india ink & white acrylic on cardboard (notebook cover)

Private collection

Eternal 1992-94; oil on canvas 122 x 107 cm. 1st state 1992 (left) final state 1994 (right)

Private collection

These photographs demonstrate the various changes a painting may undergo before being resolved