Artist Statement
My work reflects a concept I’ve been developing in my practice called ‘Doodooism’. Initially
inspired by Dadaism and the North American slang word ‘doodoo’ for excrement,
Doodooism is a response to the angst of my generation in the midst of Internet culture,
economic turmoil and identity crisis.
Doodooism uses childish, meme-like humour to bridge the stories of marginalised and
vulnerable people to the wider humanity, and acknowledges the frustrations, neglect and
fatigue of those on the margins and who feel burdened by life. Poo, bottoms and clocks
feature frequently to explore themes of time and process, human vulnerability and
creativity.
I think poo is fun to paint because it evokes a variety of reactions: disgust, embarrassment,
laughter. It is interesting because of its mundanity – pooing is an inescapable process that
happens to every human being. Everyone defecates; thus, poo is the great equaliser.
Poo is an important reminder of our humanity. If humankind has been created, defecation
reminds us of our human limits and humbles everyone under a Creative Order. Pooing is a
process that is so essential to our wellbeing and our continued existence, that no one,
regardless of status or wealth, can evade it. You cannot pay to not poo.
Pooing also marks every human as a creator since each of us makes daily poo creations of
our own. Each one differs in quality and quantity and some people poo better than others.
However, the beauty of poo is that there is no competition – no one cares how well or how
much you poo. Defecation is simultaneously inconsequential and yet absolutely essential to
being human.
I also explore birth and death as inevitable parts of life for every human. Breast milk and
sperm consider the beginnings of life and the natural longing to escape to a place of comfort
and care when life brings hardship and exposes weakness.
The clocks in my work are inspired by those drawn by Alzheimer’s patients. They explore
memory, experience and knowledge in connection to identity. They ask questions about
status and power in light of the vulnerability to time, decay and death that all people share.
My depictions of warped bodies and sagging skin confront the audience with striking and
yet extremely vulnerable figures. Often quite masculine in appearance, these figures are
emotionally peeled back revealing the fragility behind perceived power and strength.
Overall, my work aims to act as a comfort for those who feel lowly and a humble reminder
to those with power: no matter who you are - rich or poor, eminent or invisible – we’re all
born, we all poo and we all die.