Kriggleful

Studying Art History and the ideas of what art should and shouldn't be encourages me to test the lines between art that's informed and in dialogue with academic ideology, as well as being graphic, contemporary and fun.

I like things that are beautiful, and colourful, or cute and lively. I appreciate thoughtful photography, and creative ideas. What I really like, though, is Dark Art; Surreal and graphic pieces. Abject, grotesque and visceral art is an area I study, and morbid, melancholgy, ironic and satirical, macabre art tickles my fancy. I think Dark art can be cute and funny, it can be beautiful and horrifying, or reflective and thought-provoking.

A part of what I do artistically is to navigate the pathways in between where these different forms of art and experience bump up against eachother. One way I do this is by drawing and painting Kriggles; fictional hybrid-creature characters, often dog-like.

The name Kriggle comes from putting together the words "Cringe" and "Giggle"- this is what I feel when I think about them and how they need to be expressed. Kriggles are an embarassed moment, bracing for impact, laughing off the tension. They're often freehanded in exaggerated proportions and states of being; emaciated and degenerating, but also lively and expressive.