Figure 13 is one of the three larger sculptures i made all of which hang on the wall. I started to refer to these as the GUARDIANS. Their Ancient Egyptian rigidity and stylistic tones as well as their scale and presence (once they were installed on the gallery walls when first exhibited) suggested they may have mystical and ceremonial significance. Amongst the other artworks of the series, they seemed to have ‘Gatekeeper’ status

All three: figures: 12, 13 & 14 had a strong element of found objects in their form. A vacume opart, a ceiling fan, a shopping trolley tyre. Amongst the found objects that make up Figure 13 there is a table leg and a takeaway coffee cup tray.

The artworks of THE LITTLE MYKONOS PROJECT began with an ending: leaving my ‘Little Mykonos Studio, named after my father’s birthplace in early 2022. The light-filled cubicle and its aqua windowsills and door reminded me of the geometric, white-washed architecture of the Cycladic islands. 5 years ago, when I first moved in, I cut out small tile-like cardboard shapes placing them within the white, wire grid overlaying the bay of windows that overlooked the sky. The motifs mimicked the decorative pigeon homes (Peristeriones) typical of the rooftops of the Cyclades, of which Mykonos Island belongs.

These cardboard shapes and the feelings surrounding leaving the studio, inspired a series of figurative sculptures that I envisioned holding all of this in their hands.

The figures are modeled on the enigmatic Cycladic idols from the Bronze Age. My exploration represents a bringing together of 2 significant cultural icons that belong to the island of my heritage. I reflected on the innocence of my father’s early childhood, honoured my mother who passed away only days after I had received the keys to my then ‘new studio’, acknowledged the creative space that nurtured many artistic adventures and celebrated the stylistic and historical legacy of the Aegean islands of which prehistoric Cycladic art also sprung. My sculptures bring this all together,

“I think of them as wise witnesses to my past, present and future. They give expression to a deeply seeded dimension of my visual vocabulary and the medium through which I make sense of the world.  I create them as offerings to others so that together we can contemplate the mystical, the creative spirit, culture and love”