Meet Hannah Hamilton, the artist behind Gloop Babies.
Hannah is from Chicago but has lived in Louisville for two years with her husband Joel and cat Waffles.
Hannah’s current project Beyond the Veil is ‘a commentary on the secret struggles and strengths of women as relates to child bearing, infertility, and chronic pain or illness.’
“So many women I know have silently mourned their inability to reproduce, have veiled their pain with grace, and suffered alone.”
Can you tell us more about Beyond the Veil?
HH: The idea for the “Beyond the Veil” project came from working as a birth doula, which is basically a physical and emotional support person for labor and delivery. My experience as a birth worker illuminated the beautiful dichotomy that is womanhood. Nothing highlights the juxtaposing strength and vulnerability of a woman quite like childbirth. This led me to explore the secret struggles and strengths of women around me. I know so many who have struggled with infertility, miscarriage, chronic pain as a result of childbearing, or feeling as if they don’t count or matter because they don’t want children. Personally, I deal with anxiety and depression, something that I hope to share in this series. All of this is hidden behind this feminine veil of of strength and grace. I’m hoping to go “beyond the veil” in this project. I hope to reveal more of myself as well.
Where did the idea for Gloop Babies come from?
HH: The idea for Gloop Babies came out of a period of complete experimentation. I had been working diligently at drawing and painting as realistic as I could, and my art teacher told me “what you’re doing is boring, anyone can do that, do something interesting.” So I experimented with all sorts of mediums and styles. One day I was drawing and something freaky and unique showed up on the page, and it was this weird gloopy creature. I started exploring where that random line work and spontaneous shape would take me. It went from strange creatures and landscapes to portraits and I discovered that using that style allowed me to express more emotion than I could ever hope to trying to paint stiff, photorealistic portraits. My work became more emotional. They are my gloop babies because that is the best way I can describe them.
Who are your biggest influences?
HH: I feel like I am most influenced by the musicians I listen to. I have a hard time locating where my visual inspirations comes from, but I know exactly which musicians have influenced me. Sufjan Stevens taught me how to do the unexpected, utterly creative work that I love. Susanne Sundfør empowers me with this overwhelming feminine energy that inspires me to express darker emotions. There are so many musicians that have shaped my artistic expression. My brother made me a playlist in high school, called Female Power Hour, it has artists like Girlpool and St. Vincent and Mitski. I still listen to it today, it has really influenced my artwork.
What’s most important to you as an artist?
HH: The most important thing to me as an artist is creating work that is meaningful to me. As soon as the work feels like drudgery, when I don’t particularly care about it, I stop and re-examine my reasons for doing it. “Beyond the Veil” is an important and meaningful project to me because I feel as if it conveys truth.
How can folks view and purchase your work?
HH: You can view all my work on my Instagram, @gloop_babies, or on my website GLOOP BABIES
If you are interested in purchasing anything you can reach out to me directly either on Instagram or by emailing me at gloopbabies@gmail.com
