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My introduction to the world of fine arts began when I was young and tired of my own books and so decided that my mummy’s illustrated books were far more interesting. Through them I acquainted myself very well with history’s masterpieces and the sordid details of the hands behind said masterpieces. My pre-pubescent pursuit as an artist began with my imitation of a mix of the Pre-Raphaelites and my comic book heroines Betty and Veronica, and resulted in weepy, large-chested nymphs with flowing hair and bubbly lips. The busty, medieval fairies and angels slowly began to melt into willowy, large-mouthed ladies fashionably dressed in whatever I deemed fashionable at the time (mostly heinous large pants). Not the academic my school wished me to be, I made good use of the parabolas in my 11th grade math exam and turned them all into fancy dresses. My teacher was impressed, but clearly not enough; I did not pass that year. |
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Sex, the Divine Comedy – Hannah Christina Metz
My introduction to the world of fine arts began when I was young and tired of my own books and so decided that my mummy’s illustrated books were far more interesting. Through them I acquainted myself very well with history’s masterpieces and the sordid details of the hands behind said masterpieces. My pre-pubescent pursuit as an artist began with my imitation of a mix of the Pre-Raphaelites and my comic book heroines Betty and Veronica, and resulted in weepy, large-chested nymphs with flowing hair and bubbly lips. The busty, medieval fairies and angels slowly began to melt into willowy, large-mouthed ladies fashionably dressed in whatever I deemed fashionable at the time (mostly heinous large pants). Not the academic my school wished me to be, I made good use of the parabolas in my 11th grade math exam and turned them all into fancy dresses. My teacher was impressed, but clearly not enough; I did not pass that year. I have no formal education beyond four years’ worth of climbing four flights of stairs to a poorly ventilated, always smelling, eight o’clock high school art class. Formal education outside of the art world spans from missionary to beauty school, although I would like best to study the social sciences and, perhaps during old age, the dramatic arts.
I now divide my time painting on pretty faces as a professionally trained make-up artist and painting pretty women with copious amounts of body hair and twig-like arms. My artistic endeavors can be best described as light fun, poked at the beloved fashion industry’s serious and cemented image of beauty. I make stringy bodies sprinkled with pubic hair, pouty lips, bushy eyebrows and long fingers, bony bodies outfitted in fashion’s latest overexposed trend. The fairer sex is my muse and I love to join both the most beautiful and most beastly parts of women. I bought my first issue of Vogue when I was 12; the unsightly, skinny, androgynous and sulky models were glorious to my baby eyes, but also, to be frank, rather gross. The emaciated model had sung her siren song, and I was hooked. My portrayal of the female figure began, more and more, to become that of the gamine, soulful, youths that, in time, morphed into satirical observations of what it means to be beautiful in this age, as deemed by the beauty industry, Hollywood and the kingdom of celebrity.
I am influenced and inspired most by the work of my husband Landon Metz, whose creations never cease to make me laugh or to challenge me to better my own works. My favored medium is pen and ink though I am working on a series of oil paintings and hoping to soon explore the wonderful world of embroidery.
My gangly creations have previously inhabited the pages of esteemed UK magazine Lula, been featured on various art blogs and have home on the walls of friends and family. Currently I am working on a large online collaboration between four others and myself, we hope to show this fall in Los Angeles.
I am a California based artist though temporarily residing in beautiful British Columbia. My favorite font is Helvetica, I enjoy winning monopoly, eating out of bowls and watching the Tyra Show. I am thrilled to be a part of the arts world today.
