Hannah Stewart
Graphite on paper series
My work explores the relationship between mother and child, focusing on the baby’s growing sense of individuality as he begins to explore and understand the world around him. The subject of the series is my own nephew, and I have observed his development first hand. Throughout this series, I deliberately remove the background to draw attention directly to the child and allow his presence to become the central focus.
During the development of these pieces, I wanted to create imagery that felt surprising and unexpected compared to traditional depictions of mother and child relationships. To do this, I have removed the mother figure, a person who is typically viewed as significant part of a child’s life. In this way, the works explore the concept of object permanence, the developmental stage in which a baby may believe something or someone has disappeared completely when no longer visible. Both of these factors convey isolation and uncertainty from the perspective a child.
My drawings feature highly detailed mark-making, created through a process of building layers and scratching into the paper. This careful and time-consuming technique reflects the patience, care, and attention involved in raising a young child. In some pieces, the bright colours of a toy increase the work’s playful and childlike quality.
During the development of these pieces, I wanted to create imagery that felt surprising and unexpected compared to traditional depictions of mother and child relationships. To do this, I have removed the mother figure, a person who is typically viewed as significant part of a child’s life. In this way, the works explore the concept of object permanence, the developmental stage in which a baby may believe something or someone has disappeared completely when no longer visible. Both of these factors convey isolation and uncertainty from the perspective a child.
My drawings feature highly detailed mark-making, created through a process of building layers and scratching into the paper. This careful and time-consuming technique reflects the patience, care, and attention involved in raising a young child. In some pieces, the bright colours of a toy increase the work’s playful and childlike quality.