Hannah Thomas is one of ArtConnect’s Artists to Watch '22

Primarily an abstract painter, Hannah Thomas’ works are tied together by constant themes examining the absurd and conflicting elements of life and humanity. Alongside these existentialist concerns, her work also focuses on the more personal, the process of ageing, mortality, and a general romanticism. She uses motifs and emblematic shapes to signify these and her style of painting – shapes bristling up against each other, slightly fleshy palettes and textures, areas of dense black void, claws and mouths signifying the constant threat of predation – seek to move her away from the more formless abstraction of earlier work and to embrace a braver and more overtly confrontational style that more clearly states her own aesthetic and idealogy.

ArtConnect asked the winning artists to share with us a glimpse into their creative life to get a sense of their personal inspiration and artistic process.

How did you get started as an artist?

Primarily an abstract painter, Hannah Thomas’ works are tied together by constant themes examining the absurd and conflicting elements of life and humanity. Alongside these existentialist concerns, her work also focuses on the more personal, the process of ageing, mortality, and a general romanticism. She uses motifs and emblematic shapes to signify these and her style of painting – shapes bristling up against each other, slightly fleshy palettes and textures, areas of dense black void, claws and mouths signifying the constant threat of predation – seek to move her away from the more formless abstraction of earlier work and to embrace a braver and more overtly confrontational style that more clearly states her own aesthetic and idealogy..

How would you describe your artistic approach?

Learn as you go. Instinctive. I am never lazy with my painting, I never give in to easy repetition, it's why I am not more prolific!

And how about what inspires you?

Well, in a larger sense just a sort of existential impatience, that's what energises me. But for my latest project, there are strong threads of Francis Bacon, Art Nouveau, David Lynch...

What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an artist?

Finding my own voice, which didn't happen really until I started painting. Also, plenty of financial challenges, almost all art practice and art transactions are predicated on the assumption an artist has funds available for supplies, couriers, studio space, submission fees etc. If you don't have those funds, it's pretty limiting.

Describe a typical day in the studio/wherever you make your work.

I usually do a couple of hours admin first at my desk and then I am in and out of my studio for the rest of the day. I am usually working on several paintings at the same time, so i'll be just priming, doing base layers, adding final touches or whatever to them. I always have a music soundtrack to work to, and many coffee breaks!

Is there a medium, a process, or a technique that you haven't used in your work yet but would like to try out?

I may try working with oils in the future, but only when I have a proper studio space (rather than a home studio). But it's only curiosity about the texture of the paint and the colour richness really. Acrylic paint is great and the only choice for someone working with limited space, limited storage and limited time. But occasionally I do find acrylics slightly thin or flat.

What are you currently working on? Or an upcoming project you want to mention?

I am working on my current series 'Borderlands', which I will be immersed in till the end of the summer. I am also preparing for the Other Art Fair at the end of June, my first art fair so I'm pretty nervous!

How does it feel to be selected as an ArtConnect Artist to Watch?

Very gratifying, it's always heartening to have your work noticed, I'm very ambitious for my practice, but so much of it is being alone in your studio it's nice to hear encouragement from the outside!

Anything else you want to add?

Just if anyone is interested in staying updated on my work to pop over to my website and sign up to my mailing list.

See more of Hannah’s work

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