Laura Hathaway United Kingdom
I am a visual artist living and working from my studio on the Isle of Wight. I paint directly onto glass surfaces with my hands. I smear and throw thick etching ink onto surfaces whilst listening to music as an emotional trigger to create abstract marks and shapes. These are then layered to create multilayers pieces that sit between painting and sculpture.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Painting directly onto glass and paper surfaces with her hands and finger tips, the physicality of pressing, smearing and throwing thick globules of paint onto glass and paper surfaces captures feelings and movements.
Laura uses music as an emotional trigger to create energetic marks and shapes, capturing the intimacy and intensity of her own emotions. The works are a messy, physical expression through paint and mark making.
The minimal, primal marks are powerful and strong, highlighted by Laura’s monochromatic black and white pallet. The glass and paper surfaces are fragile in comparison, easily smashed, broken or torn.
Once dried, Laura examines and observes each glass panel. Reflecting on her pigmented fingerprints, squiggles of paint and smudges, she chooses which painted marks to keep and which to remove. The process of erasing marks is therapeutic; seamlessly scraped and polished from the surface of the glass as if they never existed, Laura aims to create a balance within the minimal marks.
These abstract expressions are finally put through a process of assemblage. Which over time has evolved into a ritualistic, meditative practice. The transparent nature of the glass allows the artist to layer up her marks. To find gestures that harmonise together, exploring the interaction of shape, light and shadow. Laura repeatedly moves and re-adjusts materials before finally settling on a composition.
The assembly and partnering of pieces fill the artist with a calm relief. A stark contrast to the messy, physical, emotionally charged making process. Laura has always conceived her artworks in three-dimensional forms, creating pieces made up of multiple layers, considering shadows created by the dark painted marks as just another layer to her work.
The completed pieces are multilayered, with paint, material, light, shadow, reflections, movement and space of equal importance within each assemblage of parts. The work constantly changes throughout the day and night, different settings and locations creating alternative shadows, reflections and interactions.The works sit between painting and sculpture.
ARTIST BIO
Laura Hathaway b. 1988, Birmingham UK. Laura is a contemporary British painter working from her studio on the Isle of Wight.
Laura trained at Falmouth University completing a BA in textile design with a specialism in hand embroidery, graduating in 2011.
In 2013 she was selected to be an artist in resident participating in the Jubilee Stores 'Start Up Studio Program', funded by Arts Council England and awarded additional funding by ACE for her joint exhibition ‘Line & Shade’.
She has exhibited regularly and had her first solo exhibit in 2016 at K6 Gallery Southampton. In 2017 Laura was shortlisted for the Jerwood Artist Bursary Award. New works were also selected and pieces commissioned to participate in 'IM IN THE GARDEN' a show and public installation curated by artist Jo Hummel-Newell, supported by Ryde Arts Festival and ACE.
In 2018 Laura was nominated and shortlisted by Jerwood Charitable Trust as an exceptional early-career artist. In 2020 Laura was selected to receive support from the ACE Emergency Response Fund and in 2021 received a DYCP grant from ACE for her project ‘I Grow’.
In 2022 Laura was artist in residence for a month long Ryde Arts Residency and bursary scheme supported by ACE and Ryde Town Council where she developed her performance work and installation ‘Ten’.
Laura was also the commissioned artist to create a piece of public art ‘No Ball Games’ funded by ACE Jubilee Fund and the Isle of Wight and Hampshire Trust and awarded a fully funded photoshoot by artist Julian Winslow through ‘IW Creative Network’.
Most recently Laura was the commissioned artist to create a number of place changing pieces of public art with young people in the local area, supported by The Island Collection, IW CEP, Arts Work, AONB and National Lottery Grants.
Saatchi Art and The Other Art Fair selected Laura to show her latest works in their Summer edition Kings Cross Art Fair. Laura was also selected to participate in group show ‘WISH YOU WERE HERE’ an exhibition curated by internationally respected artist Jo Hummel taking place at Peer Studios for the duration of Ventnor Fringe week.
