Art and the Non-Herbaceous Border - Why I paint.

There are two kinds of border: the one which showers us liberally with serotonin, colour and sweet aroma. A herbaceous border is available to all, in infinite guises; from the regal laps of a perma-pruned garden, wild bourgainvillea clambering over walls; to a single, proud moss pile growing from the crack in a pavement. If you look for a herbaceous border, you will find one. And it could well bring you some joy.

The other kind of border is more figuratively colourful for a British or European national. Crossing one means you are travelling; having a 'well earned break'; getting some sun; backpacking. The beach, a place to swim, collect shells, watch a romantic sunset. You are free.

For many, 95% of my family included (and do forgive me, that 95% has not been quantitatively proven - it is simply a numerical estimate), an international border is a source of injustice; a restriction; a manifest prejudice; prohibition. Based upon, and only upon - place of birth, the infrastructure of the home-state and subsequent perceptions of that home-state, and by proxy, its inhabitants, by any potential 'host-states'. Even for a short holiday.

The one similarity within this stark hierarchy of freedom, is that these borders, the international ones, evoke a sense of opportunity: whether this is the opportunity to go on holiday, the opportunity to work, provide, save, contribute, or the opportunity to broaden horizons, experience life beyond your own personal 'borders'. Whilst this may seem all very life affirming - conceptually responsible for a million glib travel memes from two-a-penny travel 'bloggers' - human beings crossing an international border may cross an ocean: swimming, sun and cocktails for some; and a death-defying miracle to reach the other side for others - who, to add insult to the level of courage and desperation it may take embark on such a crossing, already know they are not wanted.

Tarifa is on the Southern tip of Spain. You can see the Rif Mountains of Morocco with clarity and detail.

There is after all only 14km distance between the two continents. So geographically congruous are Tarifa and Tangiers; so intertwined , historically, culturally and visually - that is seems on the surface, unfathomable that someone gazing towards the ''south" views the Gibraltar Strait (the stretch of water between Spain and Morocco) as a surf adventure playground, and someone gazing to the "north" - towards Europe, is carrying a life-buoy in an attempt to survive a treacherous journey, travelling the same path, in a different direction.

My paintings are inspired solely by this injustice to create something a little more upbeat. We were all born somewhere, but may have more than one nationality on paper, or we may identify with more than one nationality. I can guarantee we all feel at home in more than one place, whether we have a home in more than one place. We all, all, feel affiliation with more than one location on our planet. My artwork seeks to combines these places; personally and always equitably.

The privilege of being able to travel is not to be underplayed. Why can I make you a painting of London, Jerusalem and Syracuse (like this one) as you have loved visiting these places so much that they occupy your heart; when others can only dream about them, based upon a birthright.

My family and I may not right now, be able to live together in the same country, due to the disparity of freedom of movement, but I love painting and combining your favourite personal landmarks.... and making them (just the tiniest bit) political.