Journey to the Fifth Quarter charts my trip to Derek Jarman’s house in Dungeness in the late 90’s when I lived in Brighton.

Growing up in 80’s Britain as a gay teenager, there were few positive role models for me to be inspired by. When Channel 4 started up and began screening independent films by film makers that had something to say, I discovered Derek Jarman. An artist, film maker and political commentator that wasn’t afraid to create difficult and beautiful films and artwork. Jarman lived in Prospect Cottage in Dungeness, a place like no other in the country.

When I lived in Brighton in the 90’s, I decided to go there. It took hours on the train and eventually got to Rye and took the miniature railway to Dungeness. It’s a vast expanse of shingle on the Kent coast and the only other buildings are the nuclear power station, a café and a rag tag collection of black fisherman’s cottages which Prospect Cottage is one. It was one of the most magical, spiritual and evocative places I had ever been to.

This wall piece consists of 13 ceramic panels that feature images of Brighton that are personal to me and images of Dungeness and Prospect Cottage. They feature a range of styles and techniques from inlay, sgraffito, hand painting, slab building and mono printing. The whole panel is approx 1.3 m wide.

This piece was featured at Collect 2024 and sold to a private collector.