I have always been fascinated by light as a source of inspiration for my oil paintings and ink drawings. Light Chambers - Study 1, as seen below, explores the relationship between light and dark, and between colour and monochrome. Living and working in Ireland, I feel the seasonal changes in light deeply, as anyone who has experienced an Irish winter will understand, whether through the shortening of days or, thankfully, their gradual return.

This shared human experience has been on my mind over the past few months. As a country with a deep connection to these natural cycles, Ireland prompted me to consider how I might express these feelings visually. While creating these drawings, I was thinking about the winter solstice and Newgrange.

Newgrange is one of the oldest known structures in the world, dating back nearly 5,000 years. It is renowned for the way the rising sun illuminates its passage and chamber during the winter solstice. A specially designed opening above the entrance, known as the roof box, allows a narrow beam of sunlight to enter the mound on the mornings surrounding the solstice.

The winter solstice alignment at Newgrange is more than a celestial event; it holds deep spiritual significance for many. The brief burst of sunlight symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, a theme that resonates across cultures and belief systems.