I am an artist based in Castlemaine, Victoria.
My paintings focus on the human figure and incorporate the stylisation of form, colour and structure to depict images of contemporary life. I work with the differences and potential cross overs in figuration and abstraction, attempting to both represent and differentiate our lives in my paintings.
How formal elements of a work can influence the way a viewer experiences art is of interest and importance to me, as is searching for an essence, a simplification and a summation of my chosen subject matter. I work in pursuit of creativity and understanding.
My painting process involves working on each canvas without preliminary sketches or studies as this heightens my need and ability to make discoveries while working. I use photographs as references, serving primarily as a guide and foundational starting point for each new piece. Working intuitively and responsively I draw up and paint over sections to evolve the composition, while simultaneously formulating colour combinations and working in layers until each painting is realised.
I have held over 12 solo exhibitions of my work at galleries around Australia and have won several art competitions as well as being selected as a finalist in numerous others.
I am currently working towards my next solo exhibition which will be held at Brunswick Street Gallery in Melbourne in September 2021.
For more information please visit my website at www.hiltonowen.com
@hiltonowen