About Hanna Bell

Artist Statement 

My work highlights the social connections and inequalities shared by humanity, animals & nature. Typically I explore these themes via depictions of female nude, cats and nature. My paintings employ bright colours & dramatic compositional elements to invite the viewer to ponder their own identity in relation to these key themes. I am studying a masters degree in animal welfare, legislation and policy. My studies are developing a specific interest in animal rights and climate change; which is influencing my current artwork. 

My Artist Practice

My central practice is life painting. I have studied the human figure for over 30 years. I develop life studies into final paintings in my studio; changing the composition & adding context to explore a theme or particular idea in a painting. When I combine the figurative with the abstract within the same painting I will use colour washes to unify the compositional elements. Sometimes I use mixed media. Colour & symbolism is my chosen means of emotional expression. Many of my works incorporates abstraction. I am inspired by what I see around me & artists like Lou Ros, Adrian Ghenie, Pablo Picasso & Pierre Bonnard. 

Commissions 

There are many reasons someone might think about a commission. A client’s idea for an artwork can be of a highly personal nature; commemorating a moment in time (e.g. a loved one’s passing, a wedding anniversary) or maybe an idea to develop someone’s personal hobby or interest.