Something to look forward to this Summer: Hannah Battershell, June 2013

Hannah Battershell, Cage
acrylic and ink on paper, 14 x 14cm

Seeing Hannah Battershell’s work is like stepping into an alternative reality; surreal, fantastical, darkly humorous and often with an unnerving sense of loneliness. All the works are miniature in scale, creating a feeling of peering into a fantasy world being played out inside the painted imagery, often collaged with papers and other items.

Nostalgic feelings are heightened further due to Battershell’s use of found objects, such as antique cigarette tins, matchboxes, Victorian mourning pins, and old buttons. She finds herself “inspired by the alluring ‘lostness’ of found objects.”

Hannah Battershell, Reliquary
Victorian Photograph frame, white ink on black Somerset paper, 13 x 8 cm

Growing up, Hannah Battershell spent some time in Malawi and the creatures she encountered during this experience may explain her interest for all things entomological. She recalls cases of pinned butterflies and taxidermy lining the walls of ‘Country Clubs’ and hotels. Her work, particularly those set within antique tins, echo these Victorian display cases of specimens.

Battershell works predominantly from her imagination, and draws inspiration from books she has read. Things such as half-remembered quotations, anecdotes, or an unfamiliar word will spark ideas which ultimately result in the work. 

Hannah Battershell, Island II
mixed media on paper collage, 21 x 21 cm

 Battershell studied English Literature and this is evident in her imagery, with each piece structured around a strong sense of narrative. This illustrative quality to her work, combined with a sense of macabre and surrealism, has caused her work to have previously been compared to that of Edward Gorey or Leonora Carrington.

Hannah Battershell, The Regret-Me-Evers
 acrylic and ink on paper, 10 x 13cm oval

This summer Curwen Gallery will be showing Hannah Battershell’s first ever solo exhibition. We first took an interest in Hannah in 2011, exhibiting her work in group exhibitions, including the especially appropriate Miniature Show at The Rectory Gallery last November. Her work has been displayed in various exhibitions elsewhere including the 2011 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. Her painting 'Crocodilian' appeared in 'Images 36', the 2012 Association of Illustrators' Best of New British Illustration publication. Hannah lives and works in London.

To see more of Hannah Battershell's work on the Curwen Gallery website Click Here