Two Worlds Collide | Hannah Nowlan & My General Store
Hannah Nowlan and My General Store provide two ways of looking that sing in harmony together.
Words: Emma-Kate Wilson
A collection of work by Hannah Nowlan from her exhibition, TUNDRA. Photo - Suzi Appel.
In a ‘Pas de Deux’ by gallery Saint Cloche in Paddington, gallery owner, Kitty Clark unites the fluidity between the slow fashion brand, My General Store, and artist Hannah Nowlan for Two Worlds Collide, 9 & 10 November 2019. Together they use soft lines, muted colours, and a homage to the curve that appear throughout the women form.
Hannah establishes a repetition of life, death, mythology and spirituality on soft linen canvas — appearing as tender as life itself. Although the subject matter may seem dark; for the artist, it allows for a process of healing, inviting an ephemeral state of play. The artist shares she’s been "delving into a mixture of Western, Indigenous, Greek and Egyptian mythology to find visual language and symbolism to speak about [her] own personal narratives.”
Authored by the Sun by Hannah Nowlan from her exhibition, TUNDRA.
Tundra by Hannah Nowlan from her exhibition, TUNDRA.
“I feel as though the fashion industry became extremely overwhelming. The pace that brands were moving, the turnover of styles and trends was exhausting,” says Michelle Glew-Ross. Photo - Lucy Laucht.
Hannah’s artworks relationship to My General Store is an obvious one. From the lines on canvas, visually jumping out into the soft, flowing dresses that My General Store is known for. "I do believe we are consciously making changes in the way we live to ‘slow’," Michelle Glew-Ross, My General Store director explains. There becomes a circular emphasis to stop, breath and relax into the easy to wear shapes, “inspired by nature and travel.”
“I am empowered by friendships, partnerships, and collaborations; female camaraderie is intoxicating and continues to lead to positive outcomes. ”
Within Hannah's paintings, she aims for this nourishing sentiment. "I think there’s a need to surround ourselves with energy that refuels us and gives our body the space to breathe, not depletes us and exhausts us," the artist muses. She uses the raw linen canvas, letting it peek out from under the paint, in a similar way Michelle only uses natural raw fibres for her clothings.
Pontus by Hanna Nowlan from her exhibition, TUNDRA.
“I am empowered by friendships, partnerships, and collaborations,” says Michelle Glew-Ross. Photo - Lucy Laucht.
“I think if we soak up and absorb simple objects from well-made materials, we can experience life on simpler terms, in turn, everything can become more easy-going, relaxed and calm.”
“We have once again used natural linens and cottons in a neutral palette and with highlights of blue and white stripes,” says Michelle Glew-Ross. Photo - Lucy Laucht.
Sustainability and living 'slow' is a centre point of these women's creativity. Not just in the sense of day-to-day life, but also in our connection to each other. They both invite collaborations with other like-minded women, and as Hannah believes, "supporting and empowering other women around us can leave a really positive mark." We have a choice, what we buy, whom from, and where from; which can, in turn, provide an uncomplicated life.
“It’s a real privilege to meet other creatives within the industry, like Michelle, where together we’re striving to change the way we run our businesses to tread lighter on our earth and ourselves.”
“I feel as though the fashion industry became extremely overwhelming. The pace that brands were moving, the turnover of styles and trends was exhausting,” says Michelle Glew-Ross. Photo - Lucy Laucht.
Michelle Glew-Ross, Founder of My General Store. Photo - Lucy Laucht.
Lion With A Serpents Tail and Tundra by Hannah Nowlan from her exhibition, TUNDRA. Photo - Suzi Appel.
Artist Hannah Nowlan. Photo - Suzi Appel.
“Supporting and empowering other women around us can leave a really positive mark.”
Woman Arching Overall by Hannah Nowlan from her exhibition, TUNDRA.
VISIT
TWO WORLDS COLLIDE SATURDAY 9TH & SUNDAY 10TH OF NOVEMBER SAINT CLOCHE - 37 MACDONALD, PADDINGTON, SYDNEY