Hannah Aria
DYCP Outcomes
OIL PAINTING
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OIL PAINTING 〰️
"I'm No Oil Painting", Oil on Canvas, 12 x 16 inches, 2022
In a world full of filters, fillers, botox and unrealistic expectations, it’s very hard to face yourself as you are: Time to take off the mask and stop the stigma!
This self portrait is an honest reflection of what I look like without makeup or filters, away from the public gaze. It’s quite unflattering, but lifelike.
I’ve called this piece “I’m No Oil painting”, which is ironic as the medium is oil paints, however it reflects the reality of low self-esteem and facing up to the reality of my aesthetic.
The green stripe across the face highlights my sensory processing differences and represents my unique outlook on the world. It also appears mask-like; masking is a common behaviour in neurodivergent people where we feel compelled to assimilate with neurotypical behaviours.
By highlighting the eyes and ears I also reflect the aspect of myself that struggles with visual stress, sensory overload and facial recognition, as I cannot always interpret social cues relayed through expression or body language.
The stripe may also be likened to the costume of a superhero: While I acknowledge the disabling symptoms of ADHD, I also want to raise the profile of our creative superpowers.
“Clown Face”, Oil on Canvas, 2022, 18 x 24 inches
This self portrait is reflective of the identity I present in the public arena. Slightly filtered, made up faces smiling and masking. This is what I project to the world. It feels safe and assimilates to cultural norms.
“The Woman In The Arena”, Oil on Canvas, 2022, 20 x 30 inches
This self portrait is based on a photograph taken at the ‘Welcome Back’ cultural industries networking event that I hosted. I was wearing a wig and a ball gown. It reflects my ‘performing’ self. The risk taker, the go-getter, the woman in the arena. A mask that allows me to be outgoing and charismatic. Yet I can only keep the mask on for so long and perform for a limited period of time before I need to retreat. Sensory overload sets in and I need to rest.
“Aldeburgh Beach”, Oil on Canvas, 2022 - Test Techniques
Testing oil painting techniques, guided by my tutor Charles Hustwick.
SOUNDSCAPE
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SOUNDSCAPE 〰️
“An Ocean of Chatty Introverts”, Soundscape, 2022
Collaboration with At Swefn’s Edge
Collaborative soundscape piece with At Swefn’s Edge recorded and produced at Studio 6 that builds upon the themes of my oil painting “The Woman In The Arena”.
TEXTILE ART INSTALLATION
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TEXTILE ART INSTALLATION 〰️
“Abolish Snobbery”, Textile Art Installation, 2021, 1 x 1 x 1.83 metres
Worn at the private view of Ipswich Art Society’s “New Faces” exhibition and displayed at the Ipswich Art Gallery.
Driving forward institutional change.
“Breaking The Class Ceiling”, Textile Art Installation, 2022, 2 x 2 x 1.68 metres
Collaboration with Katie Mac
Created with designer Katie Mac, this upcycled Cinderella style dress was created from curtains and second-hand materials from charity shops.
I chose to wear this to raise awareness around the class divides and challenges that working class artists face in professional arts arenas.
The piece was worn whilst hosting the ‘Welcome Back’ cultural industries networking event produced by Art Eat and displayed at my solo exhibition at the Frame Workshop & Gallery in Ipswich.
MIXED MEDIA INSTALLATION
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MIXED MEDIA INSTALLATION 〰️
“Don’t Put Me In A…”, Mixed Media Installation, 2021, 30 x 30 x 100 cms
Photography by John Ferguson
My first conceptual installation, which was produced collaboratively with established photographer John Furguson and contains autobiographical narrative content.