The Wooden Rose (for Wendy Sussman), 2008, 81x122cm. Mixed media and resin on photograph on aluminium. £2000

I had the great pleasure to study with Wendy Sussman whilst at UC Berkeley. She was so kind to me and took me under her wing, gave me her private studio for the summer break, and left her deceased mother's handbag in the corner of the studio as she couldn't have it at home with her. She joked her mom would haunt the space. The bag was empty other than a pine code cut back to reveal a wooden rose.