My recent paintings are based on structures and locations in my home city of Oxford, and the countryside surrounding it. I’ve been drawn to striking buildings that overpower their surroundings, yet are often overlooked and left to fall into disuse. I’ve always been interested in people’s memories of specific places, and how they are easily manipulated and idealised over time. The locations that I decide to paint and photograph are ones that I’ve been familiar with for quite a while, or have known in the past. However, by using strong lines and quite harsh contrasts in their depiction, I aim to create a stark here-and-now quality, avoiding any sentiment. My previous work has been almost entirely monochrome, and I am excited by the new dimension that colour brings to this work, helping place the structures firmly in the present.