Georgina Haly, a talented artist and painter, collaborates with materials and drawing to bring her creations to life. Her passion lies in drawing on diverse surfaces, skillfully shaping forms. You can find her artworks showcased in exhibitions and galleries. Haly pursued a BA (Hons) in Fine Art: Sculpture and History of Art at Kingston University. Currently, she resides in London, England, where she devotes her days to honing her artistry.
Self-taught or art school
I have taught myself, and I have also attended art school.
How would you describe your style?
I would describe my style as a blend of various art forms. It is abstract, yet characterised by clean lines, giving it a minimalistic touch. I draw inspiration from different sources, incorporating elements from various art forms. While I appreciate traditional painting, my ideas have gradually shifted towards abstraction and conceptualism. During my study of sculpture, I became interested in working with sculptural forms and incorporating the act of drawing an object into my practice. I have been exploring this approach more recently. Overall, my style combines drawing, painting, and sculpture into a unified expression, allowing me to convey the essence of all three mediums.
Can you tell us about your artistic process?
My initial inspiration comes from doing quick sketches on the wall of the studio, which evolved into creating larger drawings on the wall. Over time, these drawings keep growing in size. Occasionally, I come across something that catches my eye and I use it as source material for my artwork. I also explore working with wood and carving. It all begins with something, whether it’s an idea, a piece of wood, or a drawing, and then I brainstorm ideas around it. I experiment with moving objects around until I find a composition that I like. I incorporate drawings onto the wood and then carve them out afterwards. I have different materials as my starting point and from there, I generate ideas on how to utilise them. Looking ahead I want to explore techniques.
Is narrative important in your work?
Yes, narrative is important in my work.
Who are your favourite artists and why?
My favorite artists are Barbara Kruger and Louise Bourgeois. I admire Barbara Kruger’s work because it is thought-provoking and interesting. Her pieces are straightforward, with images overlaid with writing, making them easy to understand. They remind me of the headlines in the Sun newspaper and often tackle women’s issues.
Likewise, I appreciate Louise Bourgeois for her sculptures, which have a strong physical presence. When displayed in the gallery, they take up a significant amount of space. One particular piece caught my attention, where a figure lies on a bed in a room with other furniture. This arrangement piqued my curiosity about the story behind it. I enjoy the immersive and grandiose nature of Bourgeois’ work, as it engages viewers from various viewpoints. When experiencing her sculptures, you feel like an integral part of the scene. The size and presence of her creations almost overwhelm the room in a captivating way.
Who or what inspires your art?
I enjoy looking at various artworks, including ones that are interesting and innovative. However, I also have a fondness for realist paintings and watercolours. I am constantly seeking out new ideas and am particularly drawn to the use of lines in paintings. I find inspiration in drawing, painting, and sculpture, often combining elements from all three. I appreciate art in various styles, such as realism, abstraction, and minimalism. While studying at Kingston University, I began exploring engineering drawings for a competition in which I won. This sparked my interest in creating small drawings on the studio wall, eventually leading to larger drawings and paintings. I take one concept and transform it into another. I find pleasure in observing the process of painting, including the brushstrokes, their appearance up close, and how they interact from a distance. Sculptural objects and hands-on creation of things, utilizing materials like wood and stone, particularly captivate me. This involves techniques such as stone cutting and modeling heads and other objects.
Where’s your studio and what’s it like?
My studio is located in Kennington, London, with an Artists Studio Company. It provides a tranquil and peaceful environment, furnished with all my brushes and tools. Occasionally, I bring my laptop along. Additionally, there is a project space and a kitchen available. The studio features an open-plan layout, which means there may be instances where you can overhear conversations. I visit my studio part-time as I also work.
Do you have any studio rituals?
My studio rituals are to set up my computer and make a cup of coffee.
What are you working on currently?
I recently had my third Solo Exhibition in the project space at Artists Studio Company. During the exhibition, I focused on exploring the concepts of line, painting, and the gallery space. Additionally, I examined sculptural objects and their three-dimensional nature. One of the pieces I created involved painting a large box on two walls, which allowed it to extend into the three-dimensional space. In another artwork, I experimented with pulling the line off the wall and onto a piece of wood, turning it into a physical object to observe the resulting effects.
Where can we buy your art?
You can buy my art on my website or you can contact Artists Studio Company.
