‘PALIMPSEST’

This piece is a dense, layered graphite drawing called ‘Palimpsest’. This represents a strand of my work that has been evolving in recent years, moving away from representation and towards a more physical exploration of graphite itself.

This artwork evolved over the course of a year. I started it with the intention of drawing the whole building in detail, believing that precision would lead the way. But halfway through, I stopped. It felt unresolved.

I made the decision to shade over months of work and let the piece find a new direction.

I used to find the glare and shine of graphite frustrating, but in this piece I leaned into it. Instead of resisting the material, I allowed its reflectiveness to become the structure of the image.

At first glance, it appears almost opaque, void-like. But as the paper shifts and the light falls differently across the surface, the hidden image begins to emerge. The drawing reveals itself slowly, through movement and patience.

In an age of AI and digital art, I like that this work must be experienced in real life. No two photographs of it will be the same as the light will always be different.

The truth of the artwork sits just beneath the surface, waiting to be found by the viewer who takes the time to look.

Palimpsest will be on display and for sale at the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition in London 2026.