Jo Hansen

About

My most recent work is a visual interpretation and retelling of the stories told to me by my grandmother who up until her death experienced many personal tragedies and lived through two world wars.

The daughter of Irish immigrants and the granddaughter of survivors of the ‘Potato famine’ she buried three of her infant children during the first world war and her friend who died fighting the fascists during the Spanish civil war. She blamed the politicians and the ruling class.

I reflect on the past within the present climate which is ravaging Ukraine and the Middle East where I believe people are wearing similar shoes, walking similar paths, experiencing unfathomable grief and horror.

I monoprint figurative shapes, outstretched limbs and body parts, intertwined to show a human presence. By combining light and delicate marks with contrasting broader strokes I hope to  create a digestible subtext inviting the viewer to contemplate and to unpick the layers.

My work often features an abstracted baby’s bottle which explains a universal struggle to nurture children during war. By working with multiple images and an interplay of colour I hope to create a synergising effect.

Using layers of print I build on experiences of successive generations of people affected by war. I believe it’s never too late to retrieve, knock back or push forward. Japanese Bunkoshi paper as a medium despite its fragile appearance allows me to experiment.

The capabilities of print seem limitless. I can knock back and resurrect. I’m a reactive and impulsive kind of artist. Being able to revisit an artwork, push it back and bring it forward allows for ideas to surface and innovation. It is incredibly satisfying.”

Having my work exhibited  in ‘Bankside’ gallery’s exhibition of international print 2022 while still a student and receiving a commendation from the Print Makers Guild  2024 has encouraged me to continue my exploration of  current themes.