Category: Art
Hannah Battershell’s works are small insights into a fantasy world, often with a strong feeling of narrative running through the imagery. Her studies of English Literature are evident, with many pieces structured as if to illustrate a story. She draws on her imagination, books she has read, half remembered quotations and unusual words as starting points for her pieces. The characters and narratives within the work have a surreal quality to them, a dark sense of humour and at times an unnerving sense of loneliness. This illustrative quality to her work has previously drawn comparison to artists such as Edward Gorey or Leonora Carrington.
Hannah Battershell, Homunculus, mixed media, vintage tin, glass, 10x8cm.
Hannah Battershell, The Melancholy Dictator, mixed media on paper collage, 21 x 16cm.
Alongside Hannah Battershell’s painted imagery and richly textured collages, found objects feature or, at times are a framework from which the work evolves. Battershell continually hunts down vintage cigarette tins, old buttons, compasses or pocket watches to incorporate into her work, adding to a sense of nostalgia and atmosphere of an old curiosity shop. Her work is particularly suited to the setting of this exhibition – the unique space of The Rectory Gallery, the Hawksmoor designed Rectory of Christ Church Spitalfields. The Rectory Gallery maintains its domestic feel and period features such as the panelled walls, which add an interesting context to this collection of her works.
Hannah Battershell, The Drunken Librarian, mixed media, 9x9cm.
Hannah Battershell, The Performance, mixed media on paper collage, 18 x 18cm.
Hannah Battershell has exhibited with Curwen Gallery since 2011, and has had work in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibitions in 2013 and 2011. Her painting 'Crocodilian' appeared in 'Images 36', the 2012 Association of Illustrators' Best of New British Illustration publication. Hannah lives and works in London.
Opening times: The Rectory Gallery is open First Thursdays of the month 1-9pm and by appointment only at all other times. Private views: Wednesday 21 May 6-8pm and Sunday 25 May 2-4pm.