My current body of ceramic sculpture is heavily influenced by my research of classical Roman portraiture and its use as a narrative device of power. When I was in Rome, I felt time as a strong presence and the evidence of previous ages was obvious. Living with the layers of time and visiting museums of antiquities raised questions as to what is chosen to be preserved, what is valued and the ramifications of these decisions on future generations. There is a need to acknowledge power structures as we frame our personal and cultural histories. Portraiture tells a story but we need to remember that the story has been altered and subverted by time.
Additionally, my figurative ceramic sculpture is influenced by my observations of the effects of dementia on my father. With this disease, the narrative thread of life has been cut and memories are not always accurate. My father needs his personal narrative reaffirmed every day. The question of what kind of man he had been is no longer known but must be related to him by others. As time passes, he inhabits a new and different type of personality with only shades of his former self. Just as our understanding of history can change with age, who we are can be fundamentally altered by the ageing process. By creating works that are then presented as artifacts and icons, the narrative of the past cannot be trusted.