Julia Hopkins

BA (Hons) Fine Art


‘From whatever point he starts, whatever path he follows, modern man comes to the same conclusion: behind its visible appearances, life hides a meaning that is eternally inaccessible to penetration by the spirit that seeks for its discovery, caught in the dilemma of being aware that it is impossible to find it, and yet also impossible to renounce the hopeless quest.’

– Arthur Adamov, ‘Le refus’, L’Heure Nouvelle, no. II, 1946

This work is a manifestation of an on-going, detached yet acute observation of our natural surroundings and man’s visible intervention, especially in the form of structures.

Man-made structures have a tendency to feel threatening because of their scale, form and imposition yet at the same time they can be absurdly playful, reminiscent of fairgrounds and playgrounds.

I use this patriarchal notion of structure as a constant in trying to ascertain what my place is, both in the world and in society. This exploration is revealed through the composition of scenes or moments involving relationships and interactions between structures and found objects, both natural and man-made.

Plays by absurdist playwright Samuel Beckett such as ‘Waiting for Godot’, ‘Endgame’ and ‘Act Without Words I’ have formed the backdrop to my work, as have the deeply human artworks of Louise Bourgeois.

What results is a selection of works made (and frequently unmade) over a period of six months. They serve as evidence of the artist’s endless yet futile quest for meaning.

www.juliahopkins.co.uk

Other Exhibitors:

Cerys Powell

Cerys Powell

My work explores the relationship between a space and the art in it. I have become intrigued by how a painting can effect a space, exploring corporate art, it can be used to influence productivity and creativity in that environment. With influence from Colour Theory,...

Lauren Robins

Lauren Robins

I create detailed portraiture paintings that take a view of the uncanny, the subconscious, and the unconscious mind. I use acrylic paint to create my pieces but have recently been exploring oil paint and mixed media. I enjoy using the fluidity of the mediums and...

Mia Offelia

Mia Offelia

We have never been so connected yet so alone. The internet has become integral to our daily lives, no element of our existence seems untouched by it. But have we been caught and paralysed in the web? We are constantly on display and exposed, yet anonymous. We seem to...

Aimee-Victoria Penny

Aimee-Victoria Penny

My work is currently exploring texture and abstraction, with acrylic paint being my main medium through the repetitive motion of building layers. I am presently experimenting with wallpaper and plaster, by layering through a variety of applications, such as sanding,...

Leigh Hedd Roberts

Leigh Hedd Roberts

I would describe my art as confessional; I take inspiration from my life events and feelings surrounding these experiences, I translate this through my work. I see my practice as a portal from my life in which I can lose myself and explore the deepest truths of my...

Erin Donnelly

Erin Donnelly

I have recently been exploring ideas related to the home and memory, and how they form identity. I am interested in how to defy the imperative to follow a linear structure in personal narrative and instead look for a more honest depiction of memory, which is itself...