Examining the properties and absorbency of paint against surfaces; focusing in on the effects of movement, layering and opacities. Laura's practice explores the visual language of marks.
Working predominantly in black and white, investigating how paint and ink responds to glass and paper, Laura transforms two dimensional paintings into three dimensional forms.
Painting directly onto glass and paper surfaces with her hands and finger tips, the physicality of pressing, smearing and throwing paint onto glass and paper surfaces captures feelings and movements.
Probing expressive potential and the role of chance, the works develop through unexpected and accidental outcomes. Exploring mark making as a material product of the body, creating organic and delicate compositions, the role of the unconscious is paramount to her process, which is intuitive, intense and spontaneous.
These abstract expressions are finally put through a process of assemblage. Which, over time has evolved into a ritualistic technique of placing elements of paper and glass together, repeatedly moving and re-adjusting materials before finally settling on a composition.
The completed pieces are multilayered, with paint, material, light and shadow of equal importance within each assemblage of parts.
The work is a juxtaposition between spontaneity, chaos and a universal feeling of a need for control.
Artist Statement
Laura Hathaway b. 1988, Birmingham UK. Contemporary British painter based 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, University of Sussex and National Lottery Grants.
Artist Biography