The Emperor 2020

Zoe Hawk painted ‘The Emperor’ in oil, and it's kinda magical how she builds up the image. She's not afraid to let the brushstrokes show, which gives it a very process-oriented feel. I'm really drawn to the way Hawk handles the materiality of paint, the way she makes it almost palpable. You can see where the paint is thick and juicy, like in the blue suit, which has a velvety texture to it. But then you notice that the background is this airy, almost transparent wash, which makes the figure feel more present. See the way the light hits the gold of the chair, how it almost vibrates? It's so subtly done, but it adds so much depth. Hawk reminds me of Balthus, in the way that both artists create these dreamlike, psychological spaces, but she's totally doing her own thing. Art isn't about fixed meanings anyway, it's more about opening up a conversation, you know?