‘Ground Truth’

Inspired by scientific images found in academic papers.

Beginning as a period of deep research in the UK in 2021 this project has since lead to international research and exhibition. From academic papers found online to sitting in rice fields in Indonesia, inspired by the digitalisation of farming and the use of AI in agriculture, the artworks for this project have been created through a multidisciplinary analogue and digital methodology, presented as paintings, digital artworks, photographs, short films and projections.

This body of work forms an engaging visual dialogue, set to continue to grow and reach audiences as an international language, exploring how we all eat in the current milieu. The artworks have been displayed indoors and outdoors, as static images and moving images, using presentation methods that enhance narrative and celebrates cross sector pollination.

Initially I used YouTube was as a dynamic portfolio platform, reaching over 500,000 views via the channel, as I was creating work as a moblie studio whilst travelling. In 2024 was given an artisit residency oppourtunity in Bali at Kedungu Kolektif, linked with Indonesian Insitute of the Arts, for 3 months. I painted a large abstract image, mentored by local well know artisit IWENG, who taught me how to stretch and prime my own large scale canvas. The painting, titled ‘Free Energy Landscapes’. Inspired by an academic paper titled ‘Proetin Folding, Binding and Energy Landscape: A Synthesis’ which can be found here. I hand painted a QR code within the painting which linked to the academic paper. I painted with custom made UV paint supplied by Indonesian artist HAMKA, to make reference to optimal light waves for crop growth, predominently used within verticle farming, more prevelent in nearby Singapore. My research for this image led to the start of another project titled Alpha, which specifically explores protein folds.

‘Free Energy Landscapes’ Acrylic on Canvas, 2024

I was selected for exhibition at an international arts festival called Suara at Nuanu, a purpose biult creative complex in Bali. This festival has a strong correlation with my values about sustainability and my goal towards being a New Zero artisit. I exhibited a triptich of images that depict seed sovreignty, abstract interpretations of rice and the use of leaf segmentation masks to measure crop growth, which justaposes the traditional labour intense non-digital farming methods for the rice fields in Bali. The images were well recieved and caught the attention of international curator Natasha Doroshenko Murray who then provided a reference for my application for funding from the Arts Council.

In 2023 I was accepted to represent the UK at an art festival in Sumatra, Indonesia, I co-created with a local artist and together we created a large mural depicting a well know political figure called Guru Patimpus and I added a deconstructed interpretation of the well known vegatarian dish called lonton which includes rice. The experience and hospitality during the festival was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before, and it was my birthday during the festival! I was interviewed by the local press and featured on the newspapers website.