artist FROM ‘THE SOUTHERN HAWES OF NOWHERE’

This collection, The Southern Hawes of Nowhere, is an ongoing series that draws inspiration from the stories and old photographs of my town in its heyday—when the streets were alive with people, and grand outdoor swimming pools stood as symbols of leisure and community. Now, much of that vibrancy has faded, but through my work, I aim to balance nostalgia with optimism, holding onto the hope that one day my town can be restored to its former charm.

A recurring theme throughout the series is rust—an inevitable consequence of the sea air, yet also a poignant metaphor for the town’s current state. However, alongside the decay, there is resilience. As I walk through the sand dunes, I see an abundance of plant life pushing through the sand and marshes, a reminder that renewal is always possible. This idea runs through my work, not only as a reflection of Southport but of other northern towns facing similar challenges, especially in contrast to regions receiving greater investment and regeneration.

The textures in these pieces are deeply rooted in the landscape. Many backgrounds take inspiration from the rust along the pier, achieved by mixing sand from the beach with gesso to create rich, tactile surfaces where paint can pool and flow organically. Foliage is another central element—I collect and dry plants from the marshes and dunes, then stitch them into the canvas, embedding traces of the land directly into each piece. Through these materials and processes, I seek to create a tribute not just to my town’s past, but to its potential for renewal.