"Oasis"

Just as an oasis sustains life in the desert, art nourishes our spirits providing nourishment, beauty, and respite. This series delves into the metaphor of an oasis as a transformative space for creative expression and a sanctuary for the soul. 

Preston Hanna’s work vividly embodies this concept through a masterful blend of expressionistic elements and contemporary forms. His use of color is pivotal, incorporating while extending beyond the typical desert palette to introduce vibrant hues and textures that captivate the senses. Hanna’s paint application is decidedly expressionistic, characterized by bold, gestural brushstrokes that convey the raw emotions and energy within his composition. Yet, within this expressive tumult, he meticulously includes form, such as the delicate depiction of the human face, both male and female, which anchors the viewer in the familiar. Moreover, the human figures in Hanna’s paintings interact intimately with their oasis surroundings, serving as embodiments of the viewer’s own emotions and experiences. These figures are not just passive inhabitants but active participants within the oasis, engaging with and reflecting the beauty, solitude, and renewal that the oasis symbolizes. 

Materiality plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between the metaphorical and the tangible within Hanna’s work. By incorporating found objects from his surroundings, Hanna infuses his acrylic paintings with a palpable depth, transforming them into three-dimensional assemblages that beckon viewers into a sensory experience of discovery and wonder. These surroundings, marked by their scarcity and aridity, mirror the barrenness of a desert landscape, yet it is precisely from this barrenness that Hanna's creativity springs forth. Embroidered flowers, butterfly motifs, metallic vinyl, and fragments of coconut bark are not merely decorative additions; they are symbols of life, resilience, and beauty that one might stumble upon in an oasis.

Each material Hanna chooses carries with it a story of redemption, akin to finding an unexpected bloom in a desolate expanse. The embroidered flowers, with their intricate details, suggest the delicate yet tenacious nature of life that thrives in an oasis. Butterfly motifs capture the essence of transformation and the potential for rebirth that lies within creative expression. Meanwhile, the use of metallic vinyl introduces a shimmering mirage effect, evoking the illusionary promise of water in the desert. Coconut bark, with its rough texture and organic origin, grounds the work in the natural world, reminding viewers of the tactile reality of the oasis amidst the arid surroundings. Through these materials, Hanna not only constructs a visual oasis but also invites viewers to contemplate the elements of surprise and sustenance that an oasis provides. In this way, the materiality in Hanna's work is not just a means to an aesthetic end but a vital component of the narrative, symbolising the emergence of life and beauty in the most unexpected places.

‘Oasis’, therefore, transcends its visual allure to symbolize a sanctuary, a haven amidst seemingly inhospitable surroundings. It is a reminder of the cathartic power of creative expression, offering an escape from reality and a source of refuge, inspiration and growth.