Bigger Pleasures

They had stars on their torso, pointing at it eyes was made after reading ‘Bluets by Maggie Nelson' and Abigail Hampsey “indulging in a new Prussian blue pigment paint affair.”

“Almost the most pleasent-est thing in the world is to be told a splendid story by a really nice person. There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best” - Abigail Hampsey, 2021

Interested in the notion of truth, trickery, the real and the fake, Abigail creates images drawing on her own experiences and memory, as well as art historical and literary sources. Exploring these avenues of inquiry, she seeks to create her own stories in a new type of narrative painting. Often drawing on myth and folklore from the Northwest of England, Abigail’s affiliation to place and home plays a strong role in the construction of her work. In turn, the images tell stories that may be neither true nor accurate, but that reflect a personal yet often archetypal narrative.  

Abigail has a deep engagement with the materiality of oil paint and the way it can be manipulated, and the variety of tones and textures it can create. This interest sees her create complex layers of vibrant colour and pattern, using paint to conceal and then reveal past sections of a work–reflecting the layering of narrative while acknowledging the decision-making process of painting itself.

Originally from Lancaster, Abigail completed her BA in Fine Art at Newcastle University in July 2019. Abigail has recently begun her studies at the Royal college of art having been awarded The Basil H.Alkazzi Scholarship Award in Painting. Primarily focused with the process of oil painting, Abigail also works in other media such as Print making, Drawing, Photography and Film.

Accolades

Awards and Residencies: The Basil H.Alkazzi Scholarship Award in Painting at the Royal Collage of art. Summer residency at the British school at Rome 2019. The Hatton award for outstanding degree show presentation.

@Abihampsey
abigailhampsey.com