Oona Hassim: Solo Exhibition

Woolff Gallery, London, presents a dynamic new exhibition of paintings by artist Oona Hassim. Her solo exhibition will open to the public on the 6th February, 2015 and continue until the 6th of March, 2015.

Oona Hassim’s unique style of painting is poised between figurative and abstract. Focusing on random crowds and the passage of life that traverses the city of London, her distinctive palette of soft greys juxtaposed with bright colourful crowds and neon lights. The potent emblem of the city is its crowds and her new works explore the explosion of recent activity on the streets. Poising as the flaneur, the impartial spectator, allows Hassim to observe the vast charge of changing energy within the city. The works reflect the cities atmosphere – from public celebrations to reactive demonstrations, Hassim’s paintings harness the power of mass movement and map the mood of its people.

Often painting people to the point of disappearance, her use of blur technique references the artist Gerhard Richter. Her work examines the power of crowds at public demonstrations such as the Student Demo of 2012 and the Climate March in 2014. Here, she reflects upon the manner in which passionate crowds can never move freely due to the constraint of the city landscape and event marshalling. Oona Hassim records these historic events in the traditional and timeless medium of oils – the result is both tempestuous and emotive.

Oona Hassim’s works are exhibited worldwide. Woolff Gallery has worked with Hassim since 2002, during which time, her work has been received with enthusiasm by collectors. Hassim’s paintings can be found in the London Institute Collection and her works have been selected for display at the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition on several occasions. In 2012, Hassim journeyed to New York, USA, to explore another city renowned for its speed and vibrant population. During this short period, she produced works that captured the Occupy movement and iconic areas of New York City, such as Times Square and Grand Central Station. These works will be displayed for the first time at Woolff Gallery during this exhibition.