Artist

The Neverending Game

The Queen Approaches the Endgame
Oil on wood - 100 x 125 cm

This painting conveys the feeling of tension and anticipation as the game approaches the end. The King is at the edge of the chessboard. Death's shadow is present, as is the lily — symbol of mercy, forgiveness and unity. The King and Queen are bathed in light and winning but they must keep their compassion.

The Queen Shares Her Body with the Melting Horizon
Oil on wood - 100 x 125 cm

The Queen longs for another life, symbolized by the landscape seen through the window. But she's at the centre of every game, caring for the other players and being cared for herself. Some are made to be mannequins but she was born to be Queen. Her duty is to give her body and soul for others. The roles we play in life are predetermined.

The Bishop Forgives the Soul of Time
Oil on wood - 100 x 125 cm

Although the Bishop is resting his body in the bath, his mind and life itself continue to move inexorably onward. In the bath, water continues to swirl and begins to flow across the chessboard floor. The dry petals of the lily floating in the water symbolize time passing.

Lily One
Oil on wood -  50 x 50 cm

Mercy and forgiveness are represented by the lily's soft form. The steps behind the lily depict eternity and symbolize that compassion and absolution are eternal and vital for life.

Lily Two
Oil on wood - 50 x 50 cm

The angular form of the lily indicates how the chess pieces are born from it. Underneath its softness, the lily is a powerful force. The shadow in the distance represents danger.

Lily Three
Oil on wood - 100 x 100 cm

The Princess of Hearts and the Game of Life / left
Oil on wood - 125 x 50 cm

This pair of paintings shows that, despite the fact that the Queen and King fight, the Queen has accepted that this is her life. Although there is a broken heart on the floor, lips symbolizing kisses floating in the air suggest that, while they may fight, the couple are still in love. The clock in the background represents time running out, for everyone and not just the Queen. 

The Frozen King and the Hands of Time / right
Oil on wood - 125 x 50 cm

Apart from their duty, the Queen and King are woman and man and the dynamic of their relationship is the same as all of ours. They struggle as we all do. The number three on the clock is a powerfully mystical number with many meanings. There is temptation, represented by the broken mannequins. But there is also loyalty, suggested by the light streaming in from the top right-hand corner.

Painting series: The Neverending Game
Each Oil on wood - 100 x 100 cm

This series uses the recurring symbol of the lily. There is constant movement — fighting and struggle — as the lily changes its form. One moment it's a beautiful flower, the next it's a warrior. We may be merciful and forgiving but, in a flash, we might become brutal. The game never ends and we're always changing. We never know what the seed of the lily will be when it grows.

The three pistils of the flower are shown together rather than alone, which makes them stronger.

There is a river in which a warrior moves forward as the game continues. We don't know if this will be a protector or an adversary. The chessboard begins again, symbolizing the neverending game. So it continues: under the sea, in the air, on the moon, throughout the universe.

The figures floating downstream represent the idea that when human beings are together, helping each other, we have more chance of surviving and winning. Blue represents the constant search for reassurance. 

The Neverending Game series #1
Oil on wood - 100 x 100 cm

The Neverending Game series #2
Oil on wood - 100 x 100 cm

The Neverending Game series #3
Oil on wood - 100 x 100 cm

The Neverending Game series #4
Oil on wood - 100 x 100 cm

The Neverending Game series #5
Oil on wood - 100 x 100 cm

The Neverending Game series #6
Oil on wood - 100 x 100 cm

The Neverending Game series #7
Oil on wood - 100 x 100 cm

The Neverending Game series #8
Oil on wood - 100 x 100 cm

Stillness, Movement and the Sea 
Oil on wood - 100 x 125 cm

This painting is about the twin poles in the nature of existence — movement is one, the other is what is enduring and unchanging. Although everything appears to change constantly, there is always something or someone who remains the same for us to lean on. With their support, we can continue to move forward in life.