Willoughby Hastings
|
Willoughby Hastings STATEMENT My undergraduate education at the University of Georgia has prepared me for my future as an artist with technical skills, long lasting friendships, and the cultivation of artistic curiosity. Since attending UGA, I have acted as Professor and Artist Joseph Norman’s studio assistant. Through his mentorship, I have studied great artists like Sam Francis or Joan Mitchell, as well as masters like Cezanne, Matisse, Picasso, Soutine, and Vlaminck. In addition, my courses have introduced me to contemporaries like Glenn Ligon, Carrie Mae Weems, and Cy Twombly. My understanding of colour scheme, composition, and style have matured as a result. My comprehension of art history has manifested in my work, expressing elements influenced by Fauvism, Abstract Expressionism, and Dadaism. Professor Norman has a saying “good, better, best,” by this he means that while an initial idea may have merit it can always be improved upon. The introduction of new mediums, a growing knowledge of the history of art, and the cultivation of desire are the ingredients for achieving the better and the best. All together it reveals my artistic direction. My most recent work, “To Understand Visual Dominance”, which I produced for my BFA Thesis Exhibition demonstrates the evolution of my work. “To Understand Visual Dominance” was produced as a way to critique visual value in Western culture. To enact this visual experiment, I chose three types of coral: Pillar, Spiral, and Staghorn, as a standard of form and illustrated them both realistically and abstractly. The realistic watercolour, serves as an identification, providing accessibility to the eye of the general audience. This engages the viewer with the abstract work, prompting the audience’s awareness and critique of visual comparison. The utilization of both naturalistic and abstract techniques in “To Understand Visual Dominance” is representative of my recent artistic interests. During graduate study, I will continue to experiment with the coupling of images. Collage will continue to be a point of emphasis as represented in “To Understand Visual Dominance”, but conceptually my Combines will evolve with the introduction of sociopolitical issues. This new interest is evident in the monotype I may Bear your Children, but that doesn’t mean I’m your Wife. This work demonstrates an interest in feminist politics and class ideology. The adoption of the monotype in my work, has led to a poster like aesthetic reminiscent of grassroots activism. This connection to political protest will be a point of interest in future works, whether on paper or canvas. BIO I grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, and attended summer programs at Savannah College of Art and Design (2008), Parsons the New School (2009), and Rhode Island School of Design (2010) before graduating from Randolph High School (2011). After attending the California Institute of the Arts for three semesters, I transferred to the University of Georgia, ultimately graduating with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Scientific Illustration. I have had the honour of exhibiting and selling work at the Huntsville Museum of Art Gala annually since March of 2012. As well as participating in many group shows such as: BFA 1 Show | Main Gallery: California Institute of the Arts 2012, BFA 2 Show | D300 gallery: CALARTS 2012, and the Annual Scientific Illustration Exhibition | Gallery: University of Georgia Lamar Dodd School of Art 2013, 2014. In January 2015, I was also fortunate enough to present my work in my first solo and gallery show at The Little Green Store and Gallery. Producing The Little Green Store and Gallery Solo Show prepared me for the production of my BFA Thesis Exhibition “Symbiosis: the Unity of Art and Science”. I exhibited “To Understand Visual Dominance” in the Lamar Dodd School of Art’s Suite Gallery in November 2015. ARTIST CONTACT (256) 655-8586 IMAGES
|
