Hannah Tilson
“I am viewing my body and the pattern I’m encompassed in as a landscape, a ‘patternscape’ of rhythmic and geometric forms – the figure disappears and reappears, sometimes completely swallowed up by the fabric and, at other times, a knee or a foot’s surface takes the viewer closer to their own reality”
Hannah Tilson’s work explores form through the language of patterns. Space is defined clearly by the ebb and flow of a patterned fabric over a body or where the absence of a body leaves a more ambiguous sense of weight. She uses the word ‘patternscape’ to describe her paintings, viewing the undulating curves of the fabrics and forms as limbs and crevasses. Letting the patterns take over her hand and body as she paints.
Often working in monochrome, or a limited colour palette, Hannah builds up layers of colour adding depth and volume to conjour movement in the work. Tilson paints by mixing raw powder pigments in a binder. This allows her to understand and measure the translucency and opacity of colour, while keeping it consistently vibrant. Working with, rather than against the paper, Tilson’s work emits light. Using the paper as its own colour within each piece allows her paintings to glow, breathe and feel luminous.
Perello
Criss-Cross
Nocerella
Spotlight
About
Hannah studied at Slade School of Fine Art and The Royal Drawing School. She has done several exchange and residencies including Palazzo Monti and the New York Studio School.
Her work has been exhibited widely including several solo exhibitions, and group shows such as Art Icon Auction 2024 at Whitechapel Gallery via Philips, Cedric Bardawil, Saatchi Gallery, Berntson Bhattacharjee, Well Projects in Margate and A plus A in Venice.
