Thawing Dawn
Hamish Wilson
Thawing Dawn [detail] 2025
Portrait of George Kennedy
Oil and house paint on canvas
120 x 90 cm
About the Artwork
This artwork came from a series of portraits continuing my research into themes of contemporary masculinity. They are the result of a recent Constance ARI residency based in Hobart, in which I sat down with a variety of different masculine-presenting people and privately discussed their individual experiences with and perceptions of masculinity.
I chose to portray George Kennedy, a trans man and fellow emerging artist, because he presents a unique journey of masculinity. During our conversation, one of the questions I posed George prompted him to look off to his right with an intensely contemplative expression that I felt moved to capture. I aimed to portray George sinking back into the chair, expressing a certain humility and uncomfortability that the viewer can both engage with and contemplate why he is feeling this way.
About the Artist
Self-taught emerging artist Hamish Wilson aims to explore the male psyche through an art practice characterised by evocative, impasto oil paintings. Currently based in Melbourne, Hamish is endlessly fascinated by the pursuit of producing expressive representations of wilting flowers, the figure and the self. While the aim for his work is for it to be easily accessible, there is also a level of complexity present in the subject of his work. Compositions are accentuated by allegorical elements alluding to contemporary narratives of isolation, relationships, and toxic masculinity.
In 2024, Hamish was awarded the Emerging Artist Prize for the Brisbane Portrait Prize, selected as a finalist in the Stanthorpe Art Prize, and was a semifinalist in the Macquarie Group Emerging Artist Prize.