When I was around 12 years old I had my first experience of a funeral with the death of my Grandmother.  I found this whole experience very interesting and had the opportunity through my school to also visit the morgue where she was prepared.

During these visits, I discovered the classic coffin shape and started to draw the shapes about 3cm ‘tall’ in my school books, with lead pencil. I would then draw different patterns in them.

Each one I drew had 2 distinct features that immediately became critical to each piece; 2 eyes in the top section of the shape where it tapers from out to in.  As well as at least one spike or spike type shape on top.  I often added more spikes, but the eyes were always alone and in their own space.

Shortly after being made redundant in 2021 as I was looking back to this period of my life, which is also when the idea behind Project 117 was born, I started to draw the coffin shape again.  I found that by going back to these drawings and making them bigger and more detailed I can start to understand what I was trying to express and what I am still trying to do so today,

I see each one as representing an individual within a group of a species, Humans specifically.  My focus in life seems to be captivated by both the philosophical and scientific questions and ever changing answers to the big questions of why, how, when and what.  We are all here without any idea how or why at a time that is by chance it seems also, born into bodies and environments outside of our control.  As we grow into these shapes that are roughly the same as each other, we are also all made up differently, making each one of us both unique and common at the same time depending on what you focus on.

I draw these by hand which is can often be painful, however the cryptic fun I can have within them is worth it as I don’t feel the pain when I get lucky and focus.

All are for sale at 173 EUR (incl. 16% vat) and are framed in black fibreboard at 21cm x 30cm. Material: 224gm grain paper.