My Facebook and Instagram is dahlialoungestudio which can be viewed through links in the left menu.
I am writing a book about gateways, ghosts, a walled garden and idyllic places.
STATEMENT OF WORK
My work is about the connection of life and death and capturing beautiful and unusual images, sometimes a question why and a sense of something ethereal, mystical, otherwordly or the other world of the 1950's and 60's. They are often saturated with vivid colour, high density, possibly influenced by old 1950's/60's Harper's Baazar and the first 'Technicolor' films of the 1940's/50's, such as The Red Shoes and A Matter of Life and Death. The fantasy aspect of these films together with watching The Avengers, The Prisoner, Twin Peaks, visiting Portmeirion may also have had an affect on my work and given it a slightly surreal and retro feel.
A strong influence, particularly on the sections, Flowers, Portmeirion, Peace. Statues. Gardens, Exotic and Paintings was the experience of growing up in a walled garden, which was originally a nurseries to Bold Hall, built by Giacomo Leoni in 1732. Entering through some arched iron gates, inside the wall of the nursery was filled with flowers, plants, fruit and trees, outside the wall was edged with woodland, entered through the arch, 3 wooden doors and a hidden 4th one, wild with trees and lush vegetation to get lost in, including many Rhododendron trees which landscapers and conservationists now seem to get rid of, due to not being indigenous. If they go down that track, do they want to wipe out half the species we have, including Dahlias and tree ferns as so many were brought over by Victorians from other countries. Chrysanthemums are native to China and were brought to Europe in 1789 and 140 varieties are recognised by The Royal Horticultural Society but by the conservationists reasoning, they should be wiped out. Sometimes it seems to be used as a reason to make areas look sparse with trees dotted about. Portmeirion has over 60 acres of woodland which is filled with varieties of Rhododendron.
I have a strong sense that the countryside, green areas and some
Greenbelt are being encroached onto with masses of housing estates, an
enforced number given to councils which is not true or necessary and could be avoided by
developing disused buildings into homes and by giving help to buy and
modernise already existing houses for sale, of which there are many,
rather than build new. If they moved shops from ugly out of town retail parks back to town and
city centres, it would give the heart and soul back to where they
should be and the sites could be used for houses.
The San Francisco section shows my passion for the city and it's unusual splendour; the neighbourhoods, streets, retro signs, cinemas, architecture, murals, Golden Gate Park, views and while spending time there I wrote a 38 page city guide called 'Cool and Retro Guide to San Francisco' which is a download if you click on this link or in the main Site Menu.
The Greek Islands have had an effect because of the beauty, colour, chapels, ruins, altars, cafés and the people seem to have a natural wisdom and affinity with the sea, life, art and making things look beautiful.
I have always taken photographs. When I paint and take photographs I like to record and capture something. That moment is sealed, intact. I am interested in the idea of objects being left and forgotten in time and whether they are dead or preserved and precious. When I photograph people I hope I have caught something of the essence of the person, or perhaps a small but significant part of themselves, which isn't always seen.
