The 'Dark Matter' sculptures and drawings refer to the vast majority of matter and energy in the universe that exists but cannot be seen. The work also reflects my interest in the experience of place and the ability of art to enable access to abstract, remote and invisible spaces including the space of the human unconscious.

In the 'Dark Matter' series I exploit the possibilities of bitumen to explore these interests. The sculptures are composed of bitumen, one of the oldest materials used in building. Bitumen is a petroleum derivative and fluid material that can feel solid at room temperature, but moves over time. The sculptures soften in heat; permeate the space they inhabit with their scent, and move to ground.

The rate at which each sculpture moves is determined by the proportion of different grades of bitumen used. The bitumen sculptures comprised of 95/25 bitumen compound will move to ground over decades (depending on temperature). Other sculptures made of mixed grades of bitumen move to ground over hours, days or weeks.

Using this material allows me to explore work that, like nature, changes over time and moves from form to formlessness. Like most natural processes the movement is irreversible; it only proceeds in one direction. In the future each sculpture will exist only as a pool of pitch containing itself and other things entrapped in it.

The black structures and their descent into disorder evoke ideas of entropy, chaos and loss. Giving tangible form to such unconscious and ineffable spaces creates new challenges that continue to hold my interest.

The AA2A scheme has allowed me the time, space and equipment to experiment with the material and its properties, to re-think the ways I am currently working and to discover many new possibilities for future work.