BIOGRAPHY
Painter Abby Hawkins (b. 1992, Oxford) creates process-based works that revolve around the idea of a constant human presence and imperfection within anything that has been handmade. Fascinated by paint itself, Hawkins' work is concerned with the tactile surface of painting, reducing elements down to the bare minimum to create minimalist paintings which remain full of information. Her work has been selected for several group shows in Oxfordshire and Dorset and she has exhibited as part of art organisation ARTISJUSTAWORD. Most recently Hawkins has exhibited at The Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London.
Abby Hawkins has recently graduated from the Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) with first class honours in BA(hons) Fine Art.
Abby Hawkins has recently graduated from the Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) with first class honours in BA(hons) Fine Art.
ARTIST STATEMENT
My practice is concerned with the possibilities and impossibilities of perfection. Perfection is something that we as human beings are all in constant pursuit of even though no one can really define what it is. The harder we seek it the more elusive it becomes and in trying to create something that is without fault the more obvious the smallest areas of imperfection become.
Whilst my work speaks about the nature of perfection, the pieces themselves are not perfect. Eastern thought bleeds frequently into my practice, particularly the Japanese philosophy of 'Wabi Sabi’, which celebrates the beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.
I am interested in creating a time and space for contemplation through painting, somewhere to stop and think without influence from the outside world and without imposing a direct meaning through painted subject matter.
Current paintings focus around the colour grey. Commonly seen as a dull, or non-colour, grey is often overlooked or dismissed. It is in fact, however, quietly beautiful and complex upholding a careful balance of vivid primary colours in order to exist.
The paintings embark upon lengthy and time-consuming processes, beginning with a set of laborious and often repetitive tasks that if accurately executed, should determine an expected result. The process is predictable, yet often the result is not.
Every step of the painting process is valued and takes a considerable amount of time to complete, starting with the construction of circular canvases and meticulous priming to create an immaculately smooth surface. The paintings are then built up slowly over a period of months. The paintings are continually evolving. A potentially infinite number of transparent layers of red, yellow and blue oil paint are applied with the intention of achieving grey.
By using a squeegee to apply the paint evidence of the artists hand is removed as much as possible, emphasising the pooling of colours and imperfections that develop organically in spite of the process on an otherwise perfect surface. The process itself is mechanical and predetermined, yet despite the meticulous care taken in the making of the paintings humanity continues to bleed through, imperfections layering and becoming increasingly prominent as the works progress.
Buddhism teaches that the most appropriate lifestyle is to live with appetite neither denied nor indulged, the middle way. The middle way is also where my paintings lie; perfect yet imperfect, containing all colour yet no colour, nothing but something, remaining on the edge of becoming, in a constant state of potential.
Whilst my work speaks about the nature of perfection, the pieces themselves are not perfect. Eastern thought bleeds frequently into my practice, particularly the Japanese philosophy of 'Wabi Sabi’, which celebrates the beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.
I am interested in creating a time and space for contemplation through painting, somewhere to stop and think without influence from the outside world and without imposing a direct meaning through painted subject matter.
Current paintings focus around the colour grey. Commonly seen as a dull, or non-colour, grey is often overlooked or dismissed. It is in fact, however, quietly beautiful and complex upholding a careful balance of vivid primary colours in order to exist.
The paintings embark upon lengthy and time-consuming processes, beginning with a set of laborious and often repetitive tasks that if accurately executed, should determine an expected result. The process is predictable, yet often the result is not.
Every step of the painting process is valued and takes a considerable amount of time to complete, starting with the construction of circular canvases and meticulous priming to create an immaculately smooth surface. The paintings are then built up slowly over a period of months. The paintings are continually evolving. A potentially infinite number of transparent layers of red, yellow and blue oil paint are applied with the intention of achieving grey.
By using a squeegee to apply the paint evidence of the artists hand is removed as much as possible, emphasising the pooling of colours and imperfections that develop organically in spite of the process on an otherwise perfect surface. The process itself is mechanical and predetermined, yet despite the meticulous care taken in the making of the paintings humanity continues to bleed through, imperfections layering and becoming increasingly prominent as the works progress.
Buddhism teaches that the most appropriate lifestyle is to live with appetite neither denied nor indulged, the middle way. The middle way is also where my paintings lie; perfect yet imperfect, containing all colour yet no colour, nothing but something, remaining on the edge of becoming, in a constant state of potential.
CURRICULUM VITAE
EDUCATION
September 2011 – June 2014 (expected) - BA (Hons) Fine Art. The Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) Dorset, UK.
September 2010 - July 2011 - Foundation Diploma in Art and Design. Distinction. Abingdon & Witney College, Oxford, UK.
EXHIBITIONS
2014Teeth Cut, But have you washed your hands?
Group show alongside fellow graduates from The Arts University Bournemouth (AUB).
The Old Truman Brewery, London, UK.
Teeth Cut, But have you washed your hands?
Group show alongside fellow graduates from The Arts University Bournemouth (AUB).
Northlight studios, The Arts University Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.
2013
General Enquiries
Group exhibition that brought together artists from The Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) working in the medium of paint.
Studio 3, AUB, Dorset, UK.
Grey Matter
Grey Matter is about bringing the 'drawing' once again to the foreground and highlights its vitality and importance in the contemporary arts. The exhibition hosts a variety of works ranging from a wide variety of mediums and processes from AUB students and local artists.
Curated by Herman Kim
5 -7 Gervis Place, Dorset, UK
Mind over Matter, AUBh-1,5,7
Collaboration between the Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) and Boscombe Regeneration Partnership to produce an arts trail showcasing a range of student-led exhibitions in and around Boscombe. Mind over matter was a group exhibition based around conceptual painting and drawing.
10/11 Sovereign Centre, Dorset, UK.
2010
Wheatley Youth Art Show.
Group exhibition showcasing the work of 8 selected emerging artists studying on Foundation courses in Oxfordshire. In conjunction with charity ARTISJUSTAWORD.
Curated by George O’Shaughnessy.
East Oxford Community Centre, Oxford, UK.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
March 2013 - June 2013
Project manager and Teaching assistant (Volunteer). Working with students with learning disabilities to design and make a series of art-based noticeboards.
Linwood School, Dorset, UK.
January 2013 - June 2013
Art Therapist (Volunteer).
Part of a group of students offering Art Therapy sessions to mixed age patients on the renal and dialysis wards.
Dorchester County Hospital, Dorset, UK
August 2012, August 2013
Volunteer working alongside demonstrating artists. Assisting artists as well as the general day to day running of an art festival attracting up to 25,000 visitors over 4 days.
Art in Action, Waterperry Gardens, Oxfordshire, UK.
2007 - 2008
Organiser (Volunteer)
Organisation and running after school art classes for Year 7 students.
Wheatley Park School, Oxfordshire, UK.
September 2011 – June 2014 (expected) - BA (Hons) Fine Art. The Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) Dorset, UK.
September 2010 - July 2011 - Foundation Diploma in Art and Design. Distinction. Abingdon & Witney College, Oxford, UK.
EXHIBITIONS
2014Teeth Cut, But have you washed your hands?
Group show alongside fellow graduates from The Arts University Bournemouth (AUB).
The Old Truman Brewery, London, UK.
Teeth Cut, But have you washed your hands?
Group show alongside fellow graduates from The Arts University Bournemouth (AUB).
Northlight studios, The Arts University Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.
2013
General Enquiries
Group exhibition that brought together artists from The Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) working in the medium of paint.
Studio 3, AUB, Dorset, UK.
Grey Matter
Grey Matter is about bringing the 'drawing' once again to the foreground and highlights its vitality and importance in the contemporary arts. The exhibition hosts a variety of works ranging from a wide variety of mediums and processes from AUB students and local artists.
Curated by Herman Kim
5 -7 Gervis Place, Dorset, UK
Mind over Matter, AUBh-1,5,7
Collaboration between the Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) and Boscombe Regeneration Partnership to produce an arts trail showcasing a range of student-led exhibitions in and around Boscombe. Mind over matter was a group exhibition based around conceptual painting and drawing.
10/11 Sovereign Centre, Dorset, UK.
2010
Wheatley Youth Art Show.
Group exhibition showcasing the work of 8 selected emerging artists studying on Foundation courses in Oxfordshire. In conjunction with charity ARTISJUSTAWORD.
Curated by George O’Shaughnessy.
East Oxford Community Centre, Oxford, UK.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
March 2013 - June 2013
Project manager and Teaching assistant (Volunteer). Working with students with learning disabilities to design and make a series of art-based noticeboards.
Linwood School, Dorset, UK.
January 2013 - June 2013
Art Therapist (Volunteer).
Part of a group of students offering Art Therapy sessions to mixed age patients on the renal and dialysis wards.
Dorchester County Hospital, Dorset, UK
August 2012, August 2013
Volunteer working alongside demonstrating artists. Assisting artists as well as the general day to day running of an art festival attracting up to 25,000 visitors over 4 days.
Art in Action, Waterperry Gardens, Oxfordshire, UK.
2007 - 2008
Organiser (Volunteer)
Organisation and running after school art classes for Year 7 students.
Wheatley Park School, Oxfordshire, UK.