'Journey to the Podium' is a collaborative project between artists and top tier athletes aiming to encapsulate the essence of an athlete in training, in the lead up to the London 2012 Games.

Essex County Council has commissioned artists to 'adopt' an athlete supported through their Team Essex Ambassador scheme and create an works inspired by them.

My adopted athlete is British Paralympian sailor Hannah Stodel, currently part of the British Sonar Sailing Team based at the National Sailing Academy in Weymouth, and silver medallists at the recent IFDS World Championships at Medemblik.

Inspired by Hannah's role as team tactician and the interdependent nature of a three-man crew, I developed the 'Chimerascope', reflecting and refracting my experiences of her training through a kaleidoscope of the shifting conditions and constant change that they deal with.

The work will be shown at the Gibberd Gallery in Harlow from November, alongside the other commissions. The project will then be exhibited around various Essex galleries and Essex Pre training Camps; with a view to being shown at London 2012.

You can follow the British Sonar Sailing Team at http://www.britishsonar.com

Special thanks to Walter Reid for his kind support and skilled interpretation of the cabinet designs.