Year - 2020 · Size - 76 x 51 cm / 30 x 20 in · Medium - Ink, acrylic and collage on paper

When I arrived in Hokkaido I had an ambitious plan — to hike five volcanoes in five days. Day one was a bit of a dud, shitty weather spoiling the party and making the summit unachievable. Day two at Asahidake was the opposite.

After driving to the onsen village I jumped on the Asahidake Ropeway, a cable car that carries you to the higher slopes of the mountain. In late spring with plenty of snow still around, the views from the ropeway were stunning — but they were only to get better. Stepping out onto the mountain I was greeted by a glorious sight — the peak standing strong against a cloudless blue morning sky, plumes of steam pouring from geysers surrounded by sulphur-stained snow. I fastened my crampons and began to hike the ridge, and by the time I reached the summit the clouds had moved in, blanketing everything below and leaving me — the lone traveller — marooned on a snow-capped island in the sky. It was an experience I will cherish forever, and worthy of one of my larger studio works.