Duality

This is the largest and most ambitious body of work I have created to date. It was exhibited at the Wallace Art Gallery in Morrinsville as part of my first solo exhibition, Liminal.

Created over several months alongside other works, this piece reflects the way I naturally move between multiple creative states—layering thought, emotion, and energy simultaneously. Of all my works, this one carries the greatest concentration of both personal experience and channeled energy.

I painted this during a pivotal moment in my life, shortly after undergoing top surgery as part of my transition. During recovery, I was navigating both physical pain and profound transformation, supported by strong medication—symbolised here by the towering pill container and falling pills within the composition.

At its core, this work is anchored by the phrase: “To see the light, you must know the dark.” It reflects my journey through years of depression, anxiety, gender dysphoria, and inner turmoil, and the gradual emergence into clarity, alignment, and self-acceptance. As my transition progressed, that sense of light became stronger—culminating in a profound feeling of gender euphoria and finally being at home within my own body.

While deeply personal, this message remains open—inviting each viewer to reflect on their own experiences of darkness and light, struggle and transformation.

The painting continues my exploration of ancient Egyptian themes, featuring a powerful presence of Anubis and suggesting a timeless, cosmic tension between opposing forces. Layers of symbolism and hidden elements are embedded throughout, intentionally left for the viewer to discover over time—allowing the work to unfold in their own unique way.

Personal motifs also appear, including my fox terriers, depicted as guiding and protective figures within the piece. Subtle references to past lives and intuitive channeling are woven into the composition, adding further depth to its narrative.

This is a work that holds immense personal significance. It speaks to the duality within myself, and the broader duality that exists throughout the universe—light and dark, chaos and order, pain and transformation.

A piece that continues to reveal itself, offering constant engagement for both the mind and the soul.