Research and Project Development
Looking at the Fossils and Geology in South Devon (with Dog, Teddy) Summer 2021,
I went to the South Hams region in South Devon to look at the geology and in particular at the fossils. This area used to lie under the sea and there are many remains of ancient sea life and I was particularly interested in fossils of the Corals from the Devonian period.
Please see below a few examples of many photos that I took of rocks that are full of fossil fragments.
I went to the South Hams region in South Devon to look at the geology and in particular at the fossils. This area used to lie under the sea and there are many remains of ancient sea life and I was particularly interested in fossils of the Corals from the Devonian period.
Please see below a few examples of many photos that I took of rocks that are full of fossil fragments.
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Bringing Devonian fossils to London - I also collected a variety of fossils and when I got back to London, I looked at these fossils under very powerful microscopes. Please see below some examples of fossils that I photographed under these powerful microscopes.
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When I started to look at my Devonian coral fossils under the microscope, to my amazement, these are the kind of images that appeared. Drab looking grey fossils revealed hidden flashes of metallic colour and moreover, these coral fossils also resembled images of Space. I was struck by the comparisons between the tiny micro worlds under the microscope and the vast macro worlds of Outer Space.
I started exploring the world of Space by looking at as many documentaries as I could find. It opened up a whole new world to me that poses many questions.
Ongoing lines of enquiry include
- Corals - they are bleaching all over the world due to rise in sea temperatures. I am interested in the fact that they appear to be a kind of 'canary in the coal mine', warning us that we humans are in peril and mirroring our own malaise.
- The sixth mass extinction - if humanity does not change direction fast, we may end up as the sixth mass extinction.
- What can ancient wisdoms offer us by way of a guide in this uncharted territory of bio-diversity collapse and climate catastrophe.
- Space - the big questions i.e. where are the edges? what does it all mean? what lies beyond?
Maquettes, which I make from wax, act as source material for depicting human beings within my paintings.
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Taking inspiration from Poussin and his use of wax models, I use these little figures to help me position figures in space.
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Another example of a wax maquette from life. I photograph from different angles and with different light.
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I have collected many images over time. These images are brought in to use, if the subject matter requires. The collection of images includes sketches and photos. The three examples above are photographs of a Coral reef in the Red Sea, that I visited several years ago. They have only recently become relevant in my Phaethon paintings, in which I refer to Coral imagery. I am fascinated by the profusion of life that takes place where the desert meets the sea; although these days, there is uncertainty over the future of Coral and the eco-systems they support. My bank of images is made up of places, Nature and Natural phenomena that I have personally visited and seen.
There is an important element of personal lived experience that goes in to everything I do.
There is an important element of personal lived experience that goes in to everything I do.