paintings 1999-2003

These paintings are from a variety of projects I made between 1999 and 2003, including some one-offs (creepy stairs, around the table, protect and survive).

• in honour of my father – a set of large (142cm X 110cm) paintings and smaller studies following the death of my father, Wolfgang Mendelsson, in January 2000. After his death I felt permitted to express my understanding of his unfulfilled desires.
• home life – the head of the family sits in his familiar armchair disconnected from home life.
• daddy's busy and i can't see you – my father had a small office in our house filled with books about mediaeval history, architecture, and the arts. As wall space ran out, he used the floor which was filled with newspaper cuttings. He'd always be there on Sunday afternoons. Sometimes I'd bring him a cup of tea. Increasingly, the books and papers seemed to be gobbling him up. He was slowly disappearing and there was no room for me.
• destination unknown – I often try to imagine what it felt like to be on a worn-out train, perhaps a cattle truck, being carted off to an unknown destination. There were no creature comforts, with only your sister and Mum to cling to, and they were equally terrified.