Encephalic Cleansing #1 Painting

Photography is a cornerstone of Gaynor's creative practice. Her image The Spy earned the Judges' Choice Award from the Association of Photographers in 2012. That same year, the National Portrait Gallery acquired her portrait of renowned reportage photographer Neil Libbert for its permanent collection. Music also plays a vital role in shaping the sensory dimensions of Gaynor's art. At Leeds Festival 2019, her audiovisual piece St Anne's Well was featured in the cinema tent, courtesy of Film Oxford. Attracting 75,000 visitors annually, Leeds Festival provided a fitting platform for this experimental 40‑minute work, inspired by a little‑known ancient holy well. The piece reflects her love of nature—particularly the avian realm—and draws on childhood memories of playing at the site of St Anne's Well. From a young age, Gaynor sought out dark, mythical places around her hometown of Hull, allowing her imagination to animate the stillness of her surroundings. This creative exploration enabled her to craft new realities—spaces to inhabit, interpret, and reimagine. By delving into the subconscious imagery of the mind, she captures the fleeting moments where imagination and perception intersect. Describing her artistic practice, Gaynor states: "To discern the fluid precincts of truth, it is essential to nurture a fluent dialogue with the subconscious. By cultivating heightened awareness of intuitive feelings—paired with curiosity and belief in the imagery and sensory episodes delivered through the dream state—one may discover an innate affinity with the world. I hope viewers of my work are drawn into the imagery and encouraged to explore their own sensory responses—without being deliberately guided to any foregone conclusion of my own. Instead, I seek to open them up to the tangibility of their inner worlds."