HATCHING

Hatching oil on canvas 84 cm x 184 cm

Laid perfect, smooth, fragile, mysterious, the immaculate egg is torn apart in a second birth and a new being emerges. This creature has some arrangement of feathers, skin, carapace, scales, legs, wings, fins, beak, teeth, mandibles, eyes, gills or pretty much anything else you can imagine. And that's just an ordinary egg. Once you get into its symbolic meaning you find everything from the creation of the Cosmos to a losing score in tennis.

If you are looking for symbolism there is plenty here – birds as messengers, embodied souls of the dead, symbols of light, peace, freedom and joy. An owl or two for darkness and wisdom. Ducks and chickens for domesticity and happiness. And, of course, the two famous questions: Why did the chicken cross the road? Why is a raven like a writing desk?

You may or may not find answers in this exhibition, but you will find plenty of eggs and poultry. And the odd – very odd – Raven.

Welcome to the world of bewildered Robot and encouraging Raven, reconstituted Thylacine, the terrifying Catcher, and a host of minor characters absorbed in their own esoteric activities and rituals. Animals and birds as beloved pet, exploited automaton, learned guide, fantasy companion. Watching over all is the enigmatic White Bird, which has appeared in several paintings in the past and will turn up again because I like it.

Help me explore the relationship between people and animals in a peculiar world that almost looks familiar, where the boundaries between animal, mineral and vegetable blur. A world of infinite potential where wonderful things could happen and meaning is whatever you make it.