Two Sisters 2022

"Two Sisters" is a modern painting by Zoe Hawk, who invites us into an enigmatic narrative space. The figures are arranged on what appears to be a stage, their actions simultaneously intimate and performative. Hawk, born in the late 20th century, presents us with a seemingly timeless scene, reminiscent of Victorian portraiture, and yet distinctly modern. Gender and identity are central here, as the figures are portrayed in a state of self-aware girlhood, caught between innocence and the looming shadows of adulthood. The color palette evokes both nostalgia and unease, as do the various actions taking place on the island, cutting trees, playing music, and silent contemplation. Hawk's work develops a sense of girlhood that is not always innocent, where childhood is not a protected state, and the games children play can be dark and unsettling. The image resonates with the complex emotional landscape of girlhood, inviting us to consider the societal expectations, constraints, and quiet acts of rebellion that shape young women's identities.