‘Body of Waters’ by Ash Holmes
Featuring sculptural works by Issy Parker & George Davies.
ON VIEW: 1 NOVEMBER - 18 NOVEMBER
OPENING NIGHT
Friday, 1 November 6-8pm
Accompanied by Winona Wine and live music by Johnny Ladd.
CATALOGUE | Ash Holmes ‘Body Of Waters’
‘BODY OF WATERS’ / SHOW NOTES
Surrendering all control, allowing the elemental wisdom of water to guide the direction of Ash Holmes’ new body of works, Body of Waters. Water, ever powerful—both fast and slow, formless and free—shapes each canvas. The process began with an accident, a winter flood that soaked fabric and left behind organic marks on the floor. From this serendipity, a new practice was born: fabric and paint immersed in water, draped and fermented over days, leaving behind mysteries on the surface of the canvas. The outcome is always unknown, the final image a reflection of the water’s will.
Each piece in this series emerges from this delicate balance of chance and intention, surrendering to water’s uncontrollable force. Holmes’ works blur the boundary between landscape and abstraction, inviting us to reflect on the fluidity of form and emotion. Like Narcissus gazing into his first mirror, these paintings reflect back something deeper—an invitation to look within and see where we are, emotionally and spiritually.
Water, with its mythical connection to life, birth, and reflection, becomes both the subject and the process. It reminds us of the unpredictable currents of life—beautiful in their imperfection, powerful in their unpredictability. In Body of Waters, Holmes captures the allure of water’s formlessness, letting it transform her canvases into living, breathing works.
- Words by Venn Miles
ENQUIRIES
To make an enquiry on any of the above works, if you have a render request or questions on delivery options please email hello@hake.house - Thank you for viewing Ash Holmes’ latest body of work.
HAKE, HOUSE.
ASH HOLMES BIOGRAPHY
Ash Holmes is a Sydney-based artist who draws on colour psychology and her environment on Guringai Land (Sydney's Northern Beaches) for an ever-evolving source of inspiration in her abstract paintings.
Holmes is self-taught, creativity runs in her blood as a fourth-generation artist. As such, she naturally reflects on her subconscious, inspired by concepts from an impulsive vision or an unexpected muse. The artist employs soft, muted tones and mark making and layers of oil and acrylic that reveal traces of memory that pose sensitive reflections on the world.
Often working large-scale canvases, Holmes utilises her research in colour psychology to give the works a sensory effect — the harmonious tones of the environment connect her audience to the landscape she creates within. Texture is built through gestural mark-making to imprint the canvas, indicative of time and place. At the same time, expressive brushstrokes narrate the artist’s experiences.
Holmes’ was a finalist in the Mosman Art Prize, Lloyd Rees Memorial Award and Combat Art Prize. In 2021 was chosen as the resident artist for the Harbord Hotel, Sydney.
Holmes has had sell-out exhibitions and her work is held in private collections in Australia, New Zealand, US, Denmark, Canada, Singapore, Dubai, Germany, Hong Kong, West Africa, France, Japan, China and Spain and her work is represented by an international gallery in the UK, Circle Contemporary.