High tide draws on childhood memories of walking along the south coast of Africa with my grandmother, gathering shells, driftwood, and exploring rock pools. Created “down south”, this body of work carries a strong sense of nostalgia and joy, while also echoing the textures, colours, and atmosphere of the Western Australian coastline.

Through these works, the artist revisits the shoreline as a space of discovery: a place where small finds become treasures, and where time feels slower, softer, and open-ended. The gestures and forms evoke the simple pleasure of collecting, observing, and letting the imagination roam.

Ian’s work is filled with playful characters and an uplifting spirit, inviting viewers to embrace curiosity, connection, and a lighter way of being. In High tide, memory and landscape come together in a warm, vibrant celebration of what the sea leaves behind.