Sanctuary (2025) is a portrait-style work that features a woman who is facing the viewer directly. Inside of the woman’s hair is a bird, its nest and the eggs within the nest. A spider dangles down with its web from the hooped earring while another bird flies towards her. The two birds seem to be doves which could be symbolising peace and purity. The stained glass behind the figure amplifies the religious symbolism, as one would expect this form of glass to be used in a church. Especially as the work utilises doves, which were the animals portrayed in the biblical story of Noah’s Ark to promise both peace and a new beginning.
However, the work seems to imply that sanctuary serves as the human connection to creatures that choose to seek shelter with us rather than it being a divine form of sanctuary. Therefore, sanctifying humanity as a place for refuge for these creatures where connection is created through symbiosis from the creature to the human.
Portrait No. 58 (2025) instantly captures the viewer with how vibrant the colour it uses along with the great contrast created by using a more earthy green in the background allowing the face of the figure to pop. The two blush circles on the face lock the viewers’ eyes along with the strong highlights from the lighting. However, the shadow coats the other half of the face implying the contrast between both sides which then is grounded by the nose.
The gaze of the subject seems to be one of reflection as though the woman is contemplating what she see’s in the distance. This allows us to understand and view her personality which is one of caring and sensitivity. The clothing worn is wonderfully patterned and textured; the swirling white on black seems to draw the viewer upwards and avoids creating a distraction to the figure. Overall, the portrait not only showcases the figure on the outside but also merges it with the figures personality allowing us to look at the beauty of the soul as well outside of appearance.