The Threshold

The quiet simplicity and tonal colour palette of this painting are inspired by the Nordic interiors of Danish painter Vilhelm Hammershøi. Light and space are rendered with subtle shifts in colour and tone to create an atmosphere of stillness. Viewed from behind, the solitary figure conceals her emotions heightening a sense of narrative ambiguity. I want the viewer to be intrigued by the scene, longing to discover what lies beyond the threshold and hoping to glimpse the young woman’s face to gain insight into her story. Whilst certain themes in this work - the empty space, the use of light and the lone individual - are reminiscent of the paintings of American artist, Edward Hopper, my restrained palette and simplified forms lend the work a poetic cohesion.

The Threshold was painted from life in St John’s College, Oxford University where I created a series of interior paintings. This piece is painted with handmade oil paints on linen panel and comes unframed.