Amy Telford

Artist Statement

My practice explores the relationship between wooden surfaces and the application of paint. Inspired by the circle of life, and the essence of beauty, I create paintings exploring youth and decaying flesh with tones of pinks, blues and purples. A fascination with the personification of trees inspires me to create work exploring the notion of a tree spirit. I am interested in making something appear to be living or pushing through a wooden surface.

As one encounters my intricate paintings on sections of trees, one is met by strange hybrid creatures, part tree, part human, and mankind’s relationship to nature is questioned. Each crack and imperfection of the wood highlights how fragile life is, and how nothing can truly be preserved.

The smooth oil surface of layered paint against the wood grain forms a bizarre three-dimensional trompe l’oeil effect. I intend for my work to take one into a place that is halfway between the familiar and the unexpected. Gazing, glass-eyed creatures appear transfixed in wonder, isolated from our world. I want the viewers to feel that they are witnessing only a glimpse of these emerging hybrids, allowing them to visualise the creatures’ stories with their imaginations.