_COLLEGIATE

Cadets, collegians and prep-school boys inhabit fictionalized dorm rooms and academic settings in paintings that investigate identity and relationships between young men.

Historical to current images of young men are recontextualized, manipulated and merged to create narratives and relationships that address discovery, desire, longing and isolation, as well as intimacy, fraternity and coming of age.

Head Boy is a portrait of an invented figure juxtaposing traditional, historical and academic imagery with contemporary culture and tongue in cheek humour. This character is inspired in part by a trip I took to London, Princes William and Harry, and E.M. Forter's novel Maurice.

Head Boy alludes to themes of identity, masculinity, longing and discovery, focusing on the dichotomies of conformity and individuality, privilege and expectations, and confidence and vulnerability.

Head Boy is a possibly sympathetic or sneering character – Prince Charming or the school bully – or both?