Bethan Hamilton

Bethan Hamilton - Artist Statement

My studio practice is drawing and printmaking based. The recurring themes and interests within my practice vary but there is a lot of overlap in my subject matter. These themes span from female identity and sexuality to postpartum womanhood, motherhood, and postpartum depression to climate anxiety, spirituality, divination, and the esoteric. 

‘As Above, So Below’ is an ongoing series of works exploring the role of the physical female form as a spiritual symbol. Throughout human history, the female body has been used as a symbol within a variety of cultural, spiritual, and religious contexts. I am very interested in exploring conflicting cultural perspectives and the paradox of the ‘female muse’.

Are women divine, empowered beings worthy of worship? Or is it a woman's purpose to be objectified and silenced? Are women objects of beauty to be claimed? Wild animals to be tamed and subjugated? Or fierce, powerful, fertile goddesses? Is the concept of the ‘goddess’ even feasible within a patriarchal framework? It is this dichotomy that inspires my work. Women's bodies have always been a topic of discussion within the arts, politics, and religion. The control of our bodies has informed laws and defined cultural and social discourse. At birth, our bodies were assigned meaning and significance that we never consented to. 

While working on this series, my drawings and their composition have been greatly influenced by my research into Goddess theology, Neolithic figurines, Neoclassical painting, Greek mythology, polytheistic religions, religious iconography, sacred geometry and esoteric archetypes. However, my research and work continues to grow and evolve, and I’m excited to see this series continue to develop.