“Aristotle said, ‘Give me a child until he is seven and I will show you the man.’ It is believed that at the age of seven children start to develop their own character, opinions and personality. This is a portrait of Max aged 7, captured through his favourite places. They reflect his love of learning new facts, his pride at going on the big trampoline and his dream of traveling in a stretched limousine.”

Max aged 7, 2019
Exhibited at the Royal Ulster Academy
Photograph by Alice Blackstock

 

Alice Blackstock uses different mediums including drawing and knitting to preserve snapshots and memories. ‘Max, aged 7’, is the outcome of her reflections on leaving home. Living in London Alice doesn't get to spend enough time with her nephew, who grows and changes every time she sees him. Alice asked what his favourite places where and drew a map with this information. The places Max choose were not dissimilar to many children growing up in Northern Ireland. However, his personal association, character and interests give them poignancy. The result, is less of a map and more an alternative portrait of Max, aged 7.