Glimmer 2020

Zoe Hawk made this painting, Glimmer, sometime in the 20th century with, I'm guessing, oils, layering hues with a sense of process that feels both casual and meticulous. Look at how Hawk handles the surface; it's almost like she's building up these moments of luminescence with a delicate, flickering touch. The strokes around the sparklers feel so alive, not just capturing light, but also the fleeting nature of a spark, a memory. The way the figures are both present and dissolving into the dark water is incredible. Notice how the reflections aren't just copies of the figures, but rather an echo. It reminds me a little of Paula Rego, in the way she uses a dreamlike, yet slightly unsettling scene to explore the complexities of girlhood. In the end, it's that sense of art as an ongoing conversation across time, always changing and reflecting, that truly captivates me.