Statement
Andrew is inspired by the mandala, an idea that has been used in meditation, healing and protection in many worlds cultures throughout history and is working on translating into a personal perspective some of the ideas regarding them.
His work involves layering media and traditional techniques that explore the language of 'mandalas' gleaning images from such areas as popular magazines, his personal collection of postcards, a rich history of family photographs and weaving them together with years of journaling that has focused on circles and trees. All these are continually developing with the help of digital prints and etchings.
The outcome is more than a journal in which the artist reveals a narrative focusing on issues that include the painterly concerns of colour and line, subject matter and place, they define a sense of what it is to be now, specifically looking at individuation and the environment.
Andrew has worked in primary schools, secondary schools and colleges in England and Wales using the art history of mandala-making as a basis for students to explore their own designs.
He has also worked using mandala projects with adults and children that have a large range of emotional and behavioural difficulties in Bristol, Portsmouth and Southampton.
Recently he completed a two year placement within the Workers Education Association In Portsmouth and produced a '2008-2010 Small Garden' body of work; this happened alongside a weekly workshop that he ran, that was attended by local adults that are looking at how mandalas relate to their own development.
Andrew now has a studio with Art Space Portsmouth in Southsea.
Link
www.bodhicharya.org
