Cause You Can’t, You Won’t, And You Don’t Stop by John Eden

Medium: Acrylic on board
Size: 610 x 820 x 50mm

My travels around the Perth Hills are fuelled by a thirst for adventure and a need for a distraction from the world’s ills. The compositions I choose to paint have that in the background.

These steps are one of the few remaining structures at the demolished Barton’s Mill Prison. This prison closed in 1989 and is now a hangout for others who want a place away from it all.

When I look at this, I think of the decades of individuals who ascended and descended these steps, where are they now? There are also those who have used them since, including the graffiti artist in ’18. The prison site is quite a creepy place, and my colour palette has been chosen to reflect that. It’s almost dark and you might get stuck out there if you don’t leave soon.