‘The Old Church Path with Aircraft and Traffic Noise’, (2006), 140 x 100 cm. Oil on Linen.

There are some magnificent tall trees along The Old Church Path in Esher and this leafy, green environment is depicted with a view of The High Street beyond. However, in the modern world the tranquillity of the countryside and suburbs is often disturbed by aircraft and traffic noise, phenomena rarely depicted in landscape paintings. Such noise is non-visual except when shown by graphic displays on recording equipment. The garish colours and geometric forms of the noise display across the lower part of the canvas interrupts the composition just as the noise disrupts the peacefulness of the scene. Also when walking along The Old Church Path one often experiences cooking smells from nearby Asian restaurants. I was unable to think of a visual way in which to represent the odours.