Page of Wands 2020

Zoe Hawk made ‘Page of Wands’ as a painting, though I don’t know exactly when! I love the way she builds up the colour, especially the green, with all these subtle variations. It really gives the work a sense of depth, as if the painting is evolving as she goes along. Look at the drape of the white cloth. Hawk’s brushwork here is so assured, isn't it? The paint is laid on smoothly in these long strokes that convincingly describe the fall of the fabric and the soft shadows within its folds. Then compare this to the way she paints the girl's dress, which is more broken up and textured. These differences in the application really bring different qualities to the fore. There's a theatrical feel to this work, which reminds me of Balthus, the way he could imbue his paintings with a quiet sense of drama. Ultimately, both artists suggest that painting is a way of seeing that embraces the enigmatic and mysterious side of our lives.