The Power of the Circle
When we think of shapes that dominate the world around us, we usually picture squares, rectangles, and straight lines. Walls, windows, books, screens, even the rooms we live and work in — most of them are built on grids. The circle is different. It resists corners and edges. It has no beginning and no end. Its simplicity feels at once calming and powerful, which is why it continues to fascinate artists and viewers alike.
In my Orbitals series, I explored the circle through two bold works: Emerald Orbit and Crimson Core. At first glance, they are both just circles on a background — yet the shift in color transforms their meaning completely.
Emerald Orbit radiates freshness and growth. Its textured layers of green seem to expand outward, reminding us of cycles of renewal, seasons, and the grounding presence of nature. By contrast, Crimson Core glows with intensity. Its fiery red centre pulls the eye inward, suggesting energy, passion, and heat. Side by side, the two paintings become companions — opposites in dialogue, balancing one another across the wall.
Circles in art have a long history. From ancient stone carvings to modern abstraction, artists have returned again and again to the form because it holds such universal resonance. Unlike a square or a triangle, the circle doesn’t dictate direction. It draws the eye to its center, then lets it roam, free of edges. That openness makes it endlessly adaptable, yet always recognisable.
Building the Work: Process and Energy
For me, the act of painting these circles is just as important as the final form. Each work began with layers of color applied quickly and instinctively. I scraped back surfaces, glazed with thin washes, and let textures emerge almost by accident. This layering created depth and movement, preventing the circle from becoming flat or decorative.
What matters most is capturing the energy of that moment in the studio. The first sweep of colour sets the rhythm; the glazing adds atmosphere; the final marks fix the circle in place, alive with the memory of its making. When I look back at these works, I see not just a shape, but a record of decisions, gestures, and risks that built them. That process — raw and imperfect — is what keeps the circle vibrant.
In a modern interior, circular art has a unique role to play. It breaks up the dominance of straight lines, softening a space while still holding attention. Large-scale circles, like those in the Orbitals series, make bold statements without shouting — they anchor a room, offering both focus and balance.
What excites me most about working with circles is how little they need in order to feel complete. A single shape, built up with layers of paint and subtle textures, can hold surprising depth. Colour becomes the storyteller, transforming the same form into something entirely different each time. With Emerald Orbit and Crimson Core, I wanted to show how two circles can share a structure yet speak in distinct voices.
The circle reminds us that simplicity is never empty. Sometimes the most direct forms hold the richest possibilities.
