Read the full article on the University of Suffolk site here!
Priceless Treasures- My Greatest Creation
‘My Greatest Creation’ debuted at Art Fair East in 2018 and is now a contending submission for The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2020. The story behind the work:
At 18 years old I had been living alone in hostel (homeless) accommodation for 2 years and had some how managed to stay in school. I remember at 16, going out all night with my friends then returning to the hostel to shower and change before catching the bus to school (having had no sleep). 6th Form was better and I was studying Art and Performance Studies which I loved. Lancaster University had given me a conditional offer to study Art and Performing Arts which was my escape route from the poverty trap. My impulsive nature meant that I didn’t always make the best choices; often looking for love in all the wrong places. Needless to say that when I found out I was pregnant it was quite a shock. I knew that I would be bringing this child up alone and my hopes for a ‘better life’ seemed to have been shattered.
Despite the ‘Oh Shit’ moment, the idea of a tiny human growing inside me filled me with surprising wonder. I had an early scan at 8 weeks and saw what looked like a bean with a tiny heart beat. No arms or legs or anything just a blob. My blob. I fell in love at that moment. I know this is not everyone’s experience and I am certainly in no position to judge but I was blessed to have had such a strong bond from the beginning. Termination was simply not an option in my mind, so I considered this an ‘Eastenders style’ plot twist.
16 years later I can honestly say that my son is such a precious gift. Life was hard, I won’t lie but I kept moving forward. The University of life taught me some valuable lessons and eventually I did pursue higher education. I look back and see where I’ve come from and what a great future lies ahead.
This piece of art is not what some would assume to be a publicity stunt or shock tactics. Its my treasure, my story, my gold. Priceless not overpriced!
I made a large canvas and painted a heart upon it, then cut the canvas into tiny pieces and arranged them around the resin encapsulated pregnancy test. I embellished it with gold and iridescent pigments and poured out the clear resin to coat and capture it forever. The word survivor is engraved on a piece of metal in the centre. We are more than survivors we are blessed and the future is, as it always was, bright.
Origin Story- Tearful Treasures
What happened in 2018 that made me drop everything to pursue an Art Career?
Between 2017-2018 I was hospitalised with sepsis following the breakdown of my marriage. I felt like my whole world had coming crashing down around me. Thankfully I had some good friends around to help me back on my feet. Once fully recovered physically, I had a renewed appreciation of life and Art became my therapy. It helped me process the pain and rediscover who I was. I made my first public collection entitled ‘The Fragile Heart Series ‘, in the summer of 2018 which debuted at Art Fair East and was later exhibited at The Brick Lane Gallery in London. The collection was created from the depths of despair, but it took me on a journey towards healing and wholeness. Kintsugi philosophy became my reality.
I realised that true treasure was never academic success, marital status or material wealth. I had everything I needed, and I wanted to bring that message to other people. True treasure (to me) was a small shell collected on the beach, token reminders of precious moments and the simple beauty that is all around. I created a piece entitled ‘Treasure is all Around’ which was later sold at the Fine City, Fine Art Auction in Norwich Cathedral Grounds. I discovered ‘collateral beauty’. We all face a pivotal moment, at some point, when we re-evaluate our priorities and begin a journey of self-discovery. As I continue to move forward, my hope is to make beautiful works of art that inspire and uplift; created with understanding and insight. I am working hard and living my life fully. My kintsugi heart has been repaired with gold and I am ready to take on the world. ‘There are plenty more shoes in the shop’.
Cinderhannah/Hannah Aria
The remaining pieces of The Fragile Heart Series will be displayed at The Prettys Biannual Art Exhibition, Ipswich from 7th November 2019- 14th April 2020 and are available to purchase.