My interest lies in the fine balance between optimism as an expression of hopefulness and optimism as an expression of hopelessness. Optimism is often paired with naivety, dim-wittedness or wilful blindness. But I don't think it should be. Anyone can be an optimist.

I am a reader. Optimism, realistic or misguided, is a state of mind that colours a narrative. Optimism is often evoked through the use of idiomatic expressions. These worn out words and phrases have provided the starting point for this body of work.

I cover my kitchen in royal icing, starting with the cake but creeping over the cups, the dirty saucepans, the dishes from last night, the crumby school lunchboxes. It is now white, clean, undulating and sweet-smelling. If I squint, I can imagine snowy landscapes or pretend that I have created large abstract sculpture. In fact, Peter Robinson's Snow Ball Blind Time springs to mind. The dishes underneath are forgotten. I have made something beautiful.

- Cathy Tuato'o Ross, 2011