Cassiopeia 2018

Zoe Hawk created 'Cassiopeia' in the 20th century, a painting dominated by a muted palette and unsettling stillness. The composition divides our attention; on one side, a collaborative effort to map stars, and on the other, a more destructive act of cutting hair. Hawk uses the visual language of childhood—school uniforms, classrooms—as a stage to explore themes of control and disruption. The flat perspective and subdued tones create a dreamlike, almost claustrophobic atmosphere. The girls seem caught between compliance and rebellion. The window further destabilizes our sense of space, offering views that don’t quite align, suggesting a reality that’s fragmented and uncertain. This contrast between order and chaos isn't just aesthetically interesting; it speaks to a deeper unease about the structures that confine us and the subtle ways we subvert them. Hawk challenges fixed meanings, inviting us to reconsider the power dynamics at play within seemingly innocent settings.