Artist Residency at Hawkwood: Mali McGrath
"I unlocked a lot of new directions and ideas in my work and I owe this to the space, both physical and mental, in which I had enough room to really experiment."
This opportunity was really expansive for me. Having access to a studio space whilst surrounded by nature felt like the right setting to sink into a really beautiful pace. From this, I felt I could simultaneously access deep focus and relaxation which, in turn, enabled space for inspiration and flow. I left feeling like I’d worked really hard but also rested and been cared for with equal depth.
My time at Hawkwood was nourishing and one of the most supportive experiences I’ve had as an artist. I unlocked a lot of new directions and ideas in my work and I owe this to the space, both physical and mental, in which I had enough room to really experiment. I also had enough space in the studio to work on multiple pieces at once which, for my works which take a long time to dry, was really expansive as I had no limitations and could work a lot faster by moving on to the next whilst the other could sit and dry. I have been in a lot of spaces that just aren’t large enough to do this so this stood out to me a lot.
Connecting with other resident creatives and innovators was powerful too and felt like an anchoring presence that kept me focused on the topics and shared experiences of the art world but in a diverse and relaxed setting. I really felt a lot of expansion happen in my practice at Hawkwood and am so pleased with all that I have come away from it with.
Original Blog Entry by Mali McGrath.
With thanks to the Francis Reckitt Art Trust, DCMS & Arts Council England for their funding that make these residencies possible. Read about our Artist Residency Programme here.
Mali McGrath
Mali McGrath is a visual artist from South East London whose works explore her personal mythology to make sense of life experiences through magical realism and symbolism. Mali would call the majority of her works semi-self- portraiture; the auric magenta figures resembling the artist, whilst maintaining an ambiguous and independent identity of her own. Connecting the self to nature is also something integral to Mali’s practices as this permeates through much of the symbology. Mali lives and works in London, UK.
