Well, elections are done, Brexit is happening and inevitably the subject matter of my work must move away from the immediate and away from responding to the ever changing political landscape. The helter-skelter of a daily mobile national debate has slowed to become a steady flow of set and predictable calendar events about which I may complain but have no further capacity to influence or change. This government is not interested in my opinions and has chosen it’s path. I shall continue to create work shaped by events and my responses to them because I find it hard to restrain myself, but older and more constant themes are likely to make a return.

In particular, I have resumed work on a very personal, somewhat ambiguous and perhaps over ambitious project which I first commenced almost a decade ago, encouraged by my much missed late wife Fiona. The piece, which I refer to only as “The Wall Project” at present, is a musical project primarily, ultimately to comprise of around twelve movements in different styles and forms but with a strong visual influence, initially inspired in part by Fiona’s photographic output. In her lifetime only the Prelude was completed. I have recently added two more movements, each reflecting the people and the events and activities that have shaped their lives, as I journey along Hadrian’s Wall from east to west.

This is a big piece and will take a very long time to complete. It is unlikely to reflect now the community involvement around it which I had initially envisaged, my life has changed too much but, if you stay with me, perhaps I can keep you updated on it’s progress and involve you in it’s slow journey across the country. I beg your patience and indulgence and wish you all the happiest of new years.