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:

Caitlyn Laye

Caitlyn Laye

My artwork was initially inspired by the rave scene which is usually an intense environment of music, colour and lights. I decided to recreate the feelings that my experience evoked, with the use of illuminative acrylics and spray paints on canvas. As spray painting...

Chloe Winder

Chloe Winder

Our species has become increasingly disconnected from nature. I focus on landscapes of personal significance and/or landscapes that have been disrupted by industrial use. Materials from these sites (often rocks, muds, and bricks) are used through a process-orientated...

Rebecca Jones

Rebecca Jones

Non-linear narratives such as unreliable memories, leaky dreams and deja vu are a central reference within my practice. I address the structure of these forms of narrative using repetition, replication and iterations of time. My work is largely sculptural, using...

Rachel Verner

Rachel Verner

Exploring the fragmentation of memory through the physicality of found objects and the spoken word, my work has become an archive of my family history. Due to the archival nature of my work, I replicate ways of preserving my objects through the attentiveness of their...

India Beaudro

India Beaudro

In my current practice I am concerned with the objectivity and phenomenology of colour. Through using media such as light and coloured acetate, my present work is intentionally focused and uncluttered, allowing colour to be considered as a singularity without any...

Katie Berry

Katie Berry

With a love for colour my work addresses form and shape and the impact this has on a space. I am demonstrating how the use of bright colour can create maximum optical impact. I’m interested in pattern and repetition to create a visual aesthetic whilst whilst working...