Artist Statement.

As a queer man, sexuality and gender features prominently throughout my practice. Using an array of techniques such as embroidery, printmaking and photography, I explore these themes to understand the depths of the undeniably human experience of sex and gender. I draw inspiration from writers like Dena Shottenkirk, who takes an extensive look into the perceptions of explicit art and the censoring of these types of works. Furthermore, writers such as Judith Butler and Simon Watney, illuminate how art can act as a type of knowledge, and the importance of visibility. Moreover, artists such as Rick Castro, David Wojnarowicz, and Robert Mapplethorpe, explore themes of masculine sexuality, and their impact is evident in my practice.

Taking part in public exhibitions and receiving feedback from these has highlighted my ambition for the exploration of gender and sexuality. During a public exhibition in 2019 I explored the ways heterosexual and homosexual patients are treated within the NHS sexual health services identifying a number of problematic differences. This work titled ‘The Clinic’ received both good and bad feedback with one man sticking out in particular commenting on how he had always thought of HIV as a gay man’s disease. Having the unique opportunity to reach these people and intercept their preconceptions about sexuality and gender is the ultimate goal of my work.