Divine Intervention by Hazel Bowman, on display at Christo's Gallery

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Divine Intervention by Hazel Bowman, on display at Christo’s Gallery

“Divine Intervention”

Artist Hazel Bowman lights up the room with her recent work

Preview at Christo’s Gallery, Great Western Road, G12 8HX

22nd August, 2014

Scottish artist Hazel Bowman has put the finishing touches to three new artworks, on display at Christo’s Gallery, Great Western Road from the 22nd of August to 12th September, 2014 and by all accounts they are having quite an effect on the people who view them.

“When I had all three displayed in my studio there was such a lovely feeling in the room, it’s hard to explain but when anyone visited and viewed them they became very emotional and often came close to tears, it was quite incredible.” Hazel explains.

In typical Bowman style, dancers in “Divine Intervention I, II and III” as they are titled, were the inspiration for these works. Her fascination with human anatomy, in typically exquisite detail continues. Yet there is something new, more emotional, sympathetic, more human that exudes from these new artworks. A new dimension of sensitivity emerges.

Bowman agrees, “Usually I work towards capturing the energy of a moment, the fluidity and form of the dancers as they move. With these works there is something different, a feeling that comes from them, a stillness. The dancers themselves were amazing together and I think you can really see and feel that union when you look at them.”

The simplicity and expression of this human element is deeply striking and once Bowman started working on them it was difficult to stop. “I was getting up at 5.30am. For one of the pictures, on two occasions I worked for fifteen hours on the hands alone, but it felt like no time at all.” She recalls. “I didn’t start off to work in this way, but as I began working I felt moved and compelled to complete them. I did feel as though someone else was involved, as though I was watching the images appear.”

“My intention was to complete only one picture, that if sold, it would help my sister Helen, who starts teacher training in September.” The financial pressure for the mature student taking that leap from working full time with all the securities of a home and family is not an easy one. “Helen has taken the maximum student loan but it is not enough to cover basic living costs. I wanted to help take that financial pressure off a little allowing her to focus on her studies without that added worry.”

Things have certainly been busy for Bowman, from high street national retailers Next and Laura Ashley holding some of her pictures under license, to commissions and a new sketch for International pencil company, Derwent, soon to grace the pencil boxes in retailers, homes and studios all over the world. All this while continuing her highly sought after art classes.

“These new artworks are for my sister and I hope it comes across how much I loved working with these dancers and how beautiful they looked.” Christo’s Gallery owner Louise Burns is sure their impact will soon impress a buyer enough to make a purchase, nicely rounding off a project that gathered momentum from idea to completion with such emotional force.

Nicola Maule

chiwtos Preview at Christo’s Gallery, Great Western Road, G12 8HX
Friday 22nd August 6-9pm