My interest is in observing the ways in which buildings, surfaces and structures change once they become abandoned and cease to have a socio-economic function.

The process of erosion can affect structures in different ways. The accumulation of organic matter provides a basis for the growth of plants and trees; roots begin to undermine the structures; metals begins to rust/oxidize, and slowly the original form of the structures is transformed. If left the structures eventually crumble.

I have always used photographs and paintings to periodically catalogue the decay of the different sites that have interested me. However, over the last few years I have begun to explore the possibilities of utilizing the photographic images, not just as framed works that can be exhibited, but placed in “settings” that are compatible with the images.

This has involved my introducing a variety of different methods and materials in my work that are created in the studio. Working on wood panels or heavy weight card/vellum as my base, I use plaster, sand and gravel, dried roots, and simulated ‘distressed’ materials to gain texture and depth, as well as dried organic materials and found objects; sometimes from the actual sites.   In this way I begin to build an ‘environment’ that supports the photographic images used.

I frequently use certain photographs or combinations of photographs repeatedly, in order to explore different ‘environments’ or ‘settings’ for them. However, I do not attempt to form a narrative link between the photographic images and the associated materials. The materials used are to be regarded as an extension of the images; their reference indicating the more diverse processes of aging and decay.

At present my work deals with three major areas of interest; an abandoned slate quarry that I frequented in my youth in North Wales, UK; a now demolished cement factory in Kensington, MD and the World War II remains that are to be found on the coast of Delaware.