I often paint sunflowers at times of upheaval; they are like a conduit, a structural template through which I can deal with emotions. Vincent Van Gogh painted Sunflowers to decorate the house in Arles he hoped to share with Gauguin. A symbol of devotion and loyalty and for Van Gogh represented happiness or the hope of happy times.

I lived in Southern France for almost 10 years and grew all manner of weird and wonderful sunflowers or tournesol so that I could paint them. I love their spirit; they just keep turning their heads toward the sun.