Laura Hathaway

Artist Statement

Laura's artistic expression is a tactile and immersive process. Painting directly onto glass and paper surfaces with her hands and finger tips, the physicality of pressing, smearing and throwing thick globules of paint onto glass and paper surfaces captures feelings and movements.

Laura incorporates music as an emotive trigger, allowing her to create marks and shapes that resonate with the intensity and intimacy of her own emotional experiences. The resulting works are a vivid and messy testament to her emotional journey, characterised by a visceral engagement with paint and an evolving dialogue of marks that form her unique visual language.

There is a juxtaposition between minimal, primal marks against the delicate backdrop of glass and paper surfaces. The predominantly monochromatic black and white palette she employs adds a stark contrast, highlighting the powerful nature of her marks. This intentional interplay between stability and fragility is further emphasised by the inherent vulnerability of glass and paper, susceptible to being smashed, broken, or torn.

After the paint dries, Laura meticulously scrutinises each glass panel, reflecting on the pigmented fingerprints, squiggles of paint, and smudges left behind. In a therapeutic process, she discerns which painted marks to preserve and which to erase. The act of erasing marks becomes an integral part of her artistic ritual, as she seamlessly scrapes and polishes away certain elements, aiming to achieve a delicate balance within the realm of minimalism.

The abstract expressions created by Laura undergo a transformative journey as they are assembled into final compositions. This process, evolved over time, becomes a ritualistic and meditative practice for the artist. The transparency of glass enables her to layer up her marks, seeking gestures that harmonise with one another and exploring the intricate interplay of shape, light, and shadow. Constantly moving and re-adjusting materials, Laura patiently arrives at a composition that brings her a sense of calm relief, creating a compelling contrast to the messy and emotionally charged making process.

Laura's artistic vision extends beyond traditional dimensions, as she conceives her artworks in three-dimensional forms. Her pieces are intricate amalgamations of multiple layers, with the shadows cast by dark painted marks considered as additional layers contributing to the overall complexity of her work. Completed pieces are richly multilayered, encompassing paint, material, light, shadow, reflections, movement, and space, each element holding equal importance within the carefully curated assemblage.

These artworks are not static entities; they are dynamic and ever-changing. Throughout the day and night, in different settings and locations, they adapt and evolve, creating alternative shadows, reflections, and interactions. Laura's creations occupy a captivating realm that transcends the traditional boundaries between painting and sculpture, inviting viewers to explore the multifaceted dimensions of her artistic expression.

Artist Biography

Laura Hathaway b. 1988, Birmingham UK. Laura is a contemporary British painter working from her studio on the Isle of Wight.

Laura trained at Falmouth University completing a BA in textile design with a specialism in hand embroidery, graduating in 2011.

In 2013, Laura was chosen for a year-long artist residency as part of the Jubilee Stores 'Start Up Studio Program,' supported by Quay Arts and funded by Arts Council England. This transformative residency, shared with artist Howard Hardiman and guided by creative mentor Jonathan Parsons, provided Laura with the time and space to delve into the development and exploration of three-dimensional painted works on glass. The culmination of this residency in 2014 resulted in a joint exhibition titled ‘Line & Shade,’ which received additional funding from Arts Council England.

Laura has gone on to exhibit regularly and had her first public commission in 2016 at K6 Gallery Southampton. In 2017 Laura was shortlisted for the Jerwood Artist Bursary Award. New works were also selected and pieces commissioned to participate in 'IM IN THE GARDEN' a show and public installation curated by artist Jo Hummel-Newell, supported by Ryde Arts Festival and Arts Council England. Alongside an installation ‘Disorder II’ which was showcased during an illuminated carnival.

In 2018 Laura was nominated and shortlisted by Jerwood Charitable Trust as an exceptional early-career artist. In 2020 Laura was selected to receive support from the Arts Council Emergency Response Fund during the Covid Crisis and in 2021 received a Developing your Creative Practice grant from Arts Council England for her project ‘I Grow’. During this time Laura continued to develop her three dimensional glass painted works.

In 2022 Laura was selected to be an artist in residence for a month long Ryde Arts Residency and bursary scheme supported by Arts Council England and Ryde Town Council where she developed her performance work on paper and installation ‘Ten’.

Laura was also the commissioned artist to create a piece of public art ‘No Ball Games’ funded by Arts Council England Jubilee Fund and the Isle of Wight and Hampshire Trust and awarded a fully funded photoshoot by artist Julian Winslow through the ‘Isle of Wight Creative Network’.

Most recently Laura was the commissioned artist to create a number of place changing pieces of public art with young people in the local area, supported by The Island Collection, IW CEP, Arts Work, AONB and National Lottery Grants.

Saatchi Art and The Other Art Fair selected Laura to show her latest works in their 2023 Summer edition Kings Cross Art Fair. Laura was also selected to participate in group show ‘WISH YOU WERE HERE’ an exhibition curated by internationally respected artist Jo Hummel taking place at Peer Studios for the duration of Ventnor Fringe week.

Laura’s first major solo show and accompanying residency ‘Drip Splatter Smear’ opened in May 2024 at Michael West Gallery, Quay Arts. Laura’s next group exhibition “The Essence of Matter”, opens at Art Space Portsmouth, Portsmouth 21st - 28th October.