Hattie Malcomson

Lives and works in London, UK

Artist statement

Whilst exploring themes such as women’s sexuality, beauty standards and sex working, my paintings portray female characters in different states of great self-assurance or vulnerability, depicted in spaces owned by them in which the viewer has intruded. Aware of their presence, the character either invites them in, knowing she is in control, or cries for help. Either way, she wants to be seen. Characters exist in often confident or sensual poses with sometimes grotesque faces. Self-expression is used regularly as a source for ideas, with the intention to convey relatable female truths. This is often achieved in the form of self-portraiture. The work’s intention is to show honest female experiences in different forms. It is about raw female humanness and liberating and celebrating this, whilst confronting the patriarchal society that continues to ruin parts of its experience. An unapologetic pride in the feminine is also consistent throughout. Paintings intentionally look like they were painted by a woman in a stereotypical way. The work attempts to test the aesthetic boundaries of taste. Decorative iconography exists alongside ugly iconography. Paintings are simultaneously seductive and repulsive. Characters could be positioned seductively, but with strange, distorted faces. Intense, attractive colours are used, but these could be too loud or clashing. Thick, heavy impasto is used, almost inviting the viewer to touch the canvas, but it is also sickly. All of these aspects...

Artwork