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Michael Hawkins
Michael Hawkins is a Melbourne-based artist. An Old Boy of Auckland Grammar School (from the class of 1999), Michael graduated with a Bachelor of Visual Arts from AUT in 2003 and a Master of Fine Arts from RMIT (Melbourne) in 2012. He was also a finalist and Merit Award Recipient in the Parkin Drawing Prize in 2020.
His art practice can be split into two specific areas, limited edition works and original paintings. Two related bodies of work that Michael will be exhibiting are from the ‘Wild Things’ and ‘Light and Sinister’ series. Both evoke childhood wonder and teenage nostalgia as starting points. They derive inspiration from a variety of sources, including the book ‘Where the Wild Things are’, experiences of Camping and Ghost stories.
These works playfully evoke notions of a spooky, surreal landscape. These work with the idea that it is scary when things can kill you and your imagination can run wild. Whilst they appear light and bright initially, something more sinister, yet tongue-in-cheek undercuts the series. There is a juxtaposition between the malevolent and the naïve and nostalgic that is aimed to reveal itself through repeated viewing.
Michael has completed a selection of international Artist Residencies and been a finalist in a number of Art Prizes, including the Parkin Drawing Prize. His works are held in a number of private collections in New Zealand, Australia, Europe and the United States.
Other links:
Artworks by Michael Hawkins
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Light N Sinister II
See Artwork »Silkscreen print on archival paper
Limited edition of 9
Natural wood or white-finish frame with Artglass
103 x 73 x 6cm
8 available
“I will be showing two limited edition, hand printed silkscreen artworks at the Art House Tour this year, from my new Light and Sinister series. These derive inspiration from a variety of sources related to childhood and nostalgia, including ‘Where the Wild Things are’, experiences of Camping and Ghost stories. These works playfully explore the idea that it is scary when things can kill you and fun when your imagination can run wild. Whilst they appear light and bright initially, something more sinister, yet tongue-in-cheek undercuts the series. There is a juxtaposition between the malevolent and the naïve and nostalgic that is aimed to reveal itself through repeated viewing…. I am really excited to be part of the Art House Tour as an Old Boy – it is a pleasure to give back to the School and be part of such a fantastic event”.
-
Light N Sinister I
See Artwork »Silkscreen print on archival paper
Limited edition of 9
Natural wood frame with Artglass
103 x 73 x 6cm
9 available
“I will be showing two limited edition, hand printed silkscreen artworks at the Art House Tour this year, from my new Light and Sinister series. These derive inspiration from a variety of sources related to childhood and nostalgia, including ‘Where the Wild Things are’, experiences of Camping and Ghost stories. These works playfully explore the idea that it is scary when things can kill you and fun when your imagination can run wild. Whilst they appear light and bright initially, something more sinister, yet tongue-in-cheek undercuts the series. There is a juxtaposition between the malevolent and the naïve and nostalgic that is aimed to reveal itself through repeated viewing…. I am really excited to be part of the Art House Tour as an Old Boy – it is a pleasure to give back to the School and be part of such a fantastic event”.
