By Mike Thebridge
Unique
This piece is about inner conflict and the challenge of experiencing opposing ideas and emotions.
The goldfinches, traditionally symbols of renewal and letting go, emerge from the vase in a moment of confrontation. Their struggle symbolises the competing thoughts and impulses that often shape our inner lives, a reminder that growth is rarely straightforward.
Torn paper, stitched together forms the piece's surface, creating a landscape that feels both physical and imagined. Together, these elements map the many directions in which our attention can be pulled. Without awareness, our thoughts can scatter and compete; with reflection, we can begin to find clarity and balance.
The work is also rooted in the idea that we are constantly shaped by the world around us while, at the same time, shaping it through our thoughts and actions. There is a tension between what we see, hear, hope for, and feel, and it is within that tension that growth becomes possible.
At its heart, the painting is a reminder that growth is not always peaceful. It often emerges through uncertainty, contradiction, and the ongoing process of learning who we are becoming.
By Mike Thebridge
Unique
This piece is about inner conflict and the challenge of experiencing opposing ideas and emotions.
The goldfinches, traditionally symbols of renewal and letting go, emerge from the vase in a moment of confrontation. Their struggle symbolises the competing thoughts and impulses that often shape our inner lives, a reminder that growth is rarely straightforward.
Torn paper, stitched together forms the piece's surface, creating a landscape that feels both physical and imagined. Together, these elements map the many directions in which our attention can be pulled. Without awareness, our thoughts can scatter and compete; with reflection, we can begin to find clarity and balance.
The work is also rooted in the idea that we are constantly shaped by the world around us while, at the same time, shaping it through our thoughts and actions. There is a tension between what we see, hear, hope for, and feel, and it is within that tension that growth becomes possible.
At its heart, the painting is a reminder that growth is not always peaceful. It often emerges through uncertainty, contradiction, and the ongoing process of learning who we are becoming.
