The practice of working on unprimed canvas – exposing the natural fibres of linen, hessian and cotton – as well as their monochromatic or otherwise limited colour schemes, lends most of these paintings an austere and sparse appearance. Like with other work groups there is an almost educational or scholarly element found within them, due to the often specific and literal references from scientific and statistical textbooks. The effect by combining entirely unemotional pictorial devices with humble materials makes many of these works feel vaguely reminiscent of some undefined decade from the 20th century.
Yet they defy clear categorisation, remaining outside of any specific time due to their subject matter as well as acutely significant to humanity in the post-industrial and even digital age. Often subtle and between the lines – and despite their deceptively historical appearance – they reference recent political events, technological innovations, citizen’s freedoms and the media age.