ARTIST INTERVIEW: SHELLEY HALL
Shelley Hall - Beneath The Layers (Solo Show 8-23
MARCH 2014)
Explain a little about the theme of this exhibition
‘Beneath the Layers’ is a series of
representational paintings focusing on my everyday life. All of the paintings have some personal
significance to me such as flowers from my garden, my partner and objects in my
immediate environment. In doing these
works, I discovered many different layers of meaning within seemingly simple
objects and experiences. These paintings are also a metaphor for
stripping back the masks we wear. However, I prefer to leave the final
interpretation up to the viewer as everyone will see something different in the
work.
Could you explain the process and style of your
work?
In this exhibition, I have used fairly traditional
painting techniques often working directly from life. My work is mostly expressionist in that I
prefer to capture the emotion and feeling of the subject rather than an
accurate depiction. I really enjoy the
spontaneity of working this way.
How has your work developed over the years?
Since moving to Central Victoria from Melbourne a
few years ago, my work has continued to evolve. Initially I was inspired by the Central
Victorian landscape and spent a lot of my time walking around drawing and
connecting to the bush. In this latest work, I have shifted my focus
closer to home. I have really enjoyed
painting on a smaller scale and the connection I have made to more intimate
subjects.
What is your most important artist tool? Is
there something you can’t live without in your studio?
My first reaction is to say a paint brush, but it’s
probably my suitcase of oil paints. My
second choice would be the view of the garden from my studio, as it is a
constant source of meditation and inspiration.
Where to next for you artistically?
I am really enjoying the figurative aspect of
painting at the moment so I will probably continue in that direction. I suspect my work will become more expressive
over time as I am really enjoying that aspect as well.
Beneath the layers is a series of observational
paintings centred around Hall's immediate environment and surrounding local
landscape.
"Focusing on what I see around me, these
paintings are meditations on familiar scenes, objects and experiences of my
everyday life."
