Elizabeth Hepworth….ART SLAVE!!!

    Bright red mohawk, neon or black eyeliner swept across her eyelids, vintage quirky grunge rock and roll en samble sums up Hammersmith born Elizabeth Hepworth in a couple of words. An exemplification of her artistic creativity…picture David Bowie, Ziggy Stardust, Grace Jones…oldern day Maddonna…level of originality.

    © Ian Morrison

    On meeting her at the Tate Britain in the summer of 2008 for the Tate Forum training, Elizabeth educated me on Francis Bacon, his lifestyle beliefs etc etc blah blah… (prior to this I didn’t even know who he was), his exhibition was on at this time. During the training upon group discussion of the Lament of Icarus painting by  Herbert Draper(1898), Elizabeth’s passion for art was blaitantly evident from her analysis of the painting.

    Lament Of Icarus

    Herbert Draper 1898.

    At only 20 years old, the young artist has a C.V. so large to be the envy of that of a science P.H.D. professor. She has already won the  Enterprise Centre for Creative Arts, Creative Enterprise Award for Successful Freelancer and has been highly recommended by Aesthetica Magazine in the field of ‘Artwork and Photography’ for her painting ‘Toby’

    Toby

    Elizabeth Hepworth-2009

    Elizabeth has always had a passion for art from doodling in her school years and when she runs out of words, finds  herself  “trailling of onto her clothes.” With her love for life drawing, Elizabeth sets to exhibit her paintings as more than just visual objects. Her paintings are set to show emotion,history, soul and indicate unseen tensions in the paintings that bring out their character. In a world of Damien Hirsts and contemporary artists who produce art that distance the viewer from the actual art piece, Elizabeth is a new wave of contemporary artist that sets to bridge this alienation. In her words, Elizabeth would like to “place some of the enjoyment of art back into the hands of the people.”

    Her piece ‘You are the company you keep’ is a perfect example of how Elizabeth has achieved this.

    You are the company you keep.

    Elizabeth Hepworth 2009.

    This piece is overall, 6ft in diameter and composes of two discs, the inner one with the heads painted on and the outer one with the subject’s bodies. The inner disc rotates so the heads can be changed over to fit any of the bodies. This piece is a perfect illustration of the saying ‘birds of a feather flock together’ and as well being a beautiful piece of art, manages to engage the viewer. Ultimate creativity if you ask me, I mean would have you thought of that…..yeah neither would I.

    Generally her paintings show the objects’ characters and bring them to life for the viewers.

    Lottie & bird.

    Elizabeth Hepworth 2009

    I am the facebook photo stealer.

    Elizabeth Hepworth 2009.

    Oil Bar Nude

    Elizabeth Hepworth 2009.

    Oil Bar Nude II

    Elizabeth Hepworth 2009.

    Elizabeth is intrigued by the human figure and it’s personality hence why she is a literall, living and walking subject of her art. As a live perfomer, she channels the human emotion in high energy, adrenaline fuelled bouts and transforms these into live art. These live pieces trully embody the human emotion and are delivered with a guarantee of no dissapointment. One of my personal favourites is her performance at the Loud Tate 2009 entitled ‘LOUD HATE’ on the Manton Lawn filled with revellers. I can’t even express in words how much I love this piece and how original I believe it is. You can feel the emotion..the tension…the hate. Its the whole feeling or being enraged being brought into life in the form of art….just take a look…

    (all pictures for the Loud Hate performance-© Ian Morrison)

    (all pictures for the Loud Hate performance-© Ian Morrison)

    As part of the ‘We are young We are new’, Elizabeth secured herself a solo exhibition at the Foundry in East London. This solo show was entitled ‘Untwine’ and I believe is one of her best pieces too.

    I just can’t help but fall in love with Elizabeth’s art pieces. Her latest piece ‘Fate’ once again just brings the simple word to life in a painting just by the detail and the use of colour.

    Fate (Detail)

    Elizabeth Hepworth 2009.

    Just as I’m about to wrap up this piece, cruising through her pieces I spot her first ever oil painting which, she did at only 18 years old. At a first glance, I thought the painting was actually a real life chair or even just a well decorated photography piece. Just have a look at the painting and you will see what I mean…….

    Mum’s Chair

    Elizabeth Hepworth 2008

    (My younger cousin’s commentary “It looks very nice and 3D. I like it” she then proceeds to ‘preview ‘the draft and “I like really really like her stuff it’s very real.” Mind you her interest in art is like that of a fat kid on brussel sprouts)

    At such a young age Elizabeth’s artwork is taking the world of art by storm. Her paintings ‘Toby’, ‘Art Slave’ and ‘You are the company you keep’ are currently in exhibition at the Victoria House in Central London until the 18th of December. Not only is her work being exhibited in England, she seems to also be “messing with the chinese” in her words. Video stills from her recent live/street art pieces are currently in exhibition in  Xin Dan Wei Gallery in Shanghai. Elizabeth has just been accepted by the Berlin University of the Arts, so it’s no doubt she’s off to  fulfil her destiny as an artist in a great artistic town full of history, character and soul. I have to admit, I’m quite looking forward to her pieces from Berlin.

    I’ve had the pleausure of meeting Elizabeth and have no criticism about her as a person. She’s very kind, considerate and very easy to get along with has a unique personality and a very strong presence. At such a young age,Elizabeth showcases such immense talent, so raw, so genuine and so fresh. In my opinion, she’s set to be a contemporary artist who sparks less controversy with her pieces but rather, produces art that the viewer can relate to. All ye facebookers join her group Elizabeth Hepworth// Art Slave (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Elizabeth-Hepworth-Art-Slave/351626135640#/pages/Elizabeth-Hepworth-Art-Slave/351626135640). Take a look at herwebsite which is still under construction but coming along nicely http://www.elizabethhepworth.com/ . You can also check out her Myspace page to view more of her work. This young artiste is a force to be reckoned with SO JOIN IN THE REVOLUTION!!!!!

    Keep it UJU people.

    kookysistawiththehair.

    xoxoxoxo