I make paintings that attempt to communicate, through abstract expression, my response to the world around me—tiny glimpses of multilayered, complex, compacted, and sometimes ancient memories. These memories come from many sources: dreams, emotions, nature, history, and the mysterious connection we all share with one another.

Much of my time in the studio is spent sitting quietly, letting thoughts come and go without attachment or judgment—waiting for inspiration to invite an action. As I grow as an artist, I've come to believe, for me, forcing an action or inventing inspiration only leads to failure.

To me, a painting is just that—a painting. When a painting starts to become a narrative, I try to paint that narrative out. A painting is its own world, with layers of multiple inspirations representing condensed memories of day-to-day life.

I do not try to persuade the viewer to have a particular response. Instead, I invite the viewer to explore their own experiences and perhaps find recognition in the paintings I create.

Sean Hughes.

January 2025.