Two Islands ~ Bridging the Seas of Memory

This work explores the threads of ancestry and identity, weaving together the stories of two islands—Orkney and Sicily—that stand as bookends to my heritage. These lands, separated by thousands of miles and boundless cultural contrasts, are united in my art through the shared currents of family, migration, and connection.

Orkney, with its windswept shores and Norse echoes, speaks to resilience and the enduring spirit of a people shaped by the sea. Sicily, vibrant and sun-drenched, pulses with the richness of Mediterranean life—a tapestry of Greek, Arab, and Norman legacies. Both islands have served as crossroads of civilizations, places where cultures collided and blended, leaving their marks on language, food, and tradition.

In my work, I merge the rugged landscapes of Orkney with the warm, fertile vistas of Sicily to create a dialogue between two distant yet deeply personal worlds. I use layered textures, muted tones, and bold, sunlit colours to reflect the contrasts of these islands—one steeped in austere beauty, the other brimming with vitality.

Family and ancestry serve as my compass. Through archival research, oral histories, and inherited memories, I uncover the lives of those who came before me. Their migrations, struggles, and celebrations form the backbone of my practice. Whether through sculpture, painting, or storytelling, I aim to honour their journeys and interrogate what it means to belong to a place—or many places at once.

This work is not only about reconciling my heritage but also about offering a space for others to reflect on their roots. Through the interplay of Orkney and Sicily, I invite viewers to consider the universality of family, the fluidity of identity, and the uncharted connections that span continents and generations.

The following works on this page and works from Trinacria Medusa, Trinacria and - Here Be Dragons are a thematic story about two places.