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:

Menna Dummett

Menna Dummett

My work currently surrounds the study of important individuals in my life. I aim to reflect the subtle emotions that can be captured candidly whilst watching someone closely and understanding them. My work predominantly consists of coloured pencil drawings which I...

Elena Grace

Elena Grace

My current practice focuses on Grief and Absence explored through lived spaces, this is visualised in oil paintings using muted colours and brushwork techniques to form a blurry illusion representative of memory. These paintings search for value in inanimate things...

Katie Cook

Katie Cook

I have been directing my studio practice towards the theme of animal abuse, animal neglection, pet breading/ selling and rescue animals. I have a few reasons as to why I want to make my artwork around these themes. I have a fair amount of rescue animals myself; I love...

Louise Emily Brown

Louise Emily Brown

My work evolves from the perception of the female body and occurs through the process of capturing my naked body in a variety of different naturalistic locations. These works are in response to the media’s representation of the female body and its negative effects on...

Ellie Stitfall

Ellie Stitfall

My current practice involves a collaborative element by asking people what their recent dreams have been; however crazy or mundane, so I can work collectively with their ideas and my own artistic influence, to create a visually engaging artwork of the imagination. I...

Frankie Hedger

Frankie Hedger

My artwork is made in response to the ambitions that I have to create a sustainable art practice. In this bid to create the type of practice I desire, I have concentrated on using materials that have both; achievably sustainable making processes and outcomes. Whilst...