About Hannah
Hannah is an interdisciplinary artist and facilitator, working with queer histories and communities. Their research often engages in intimate investigations of a place, expanded by drawing insight from archives and local heritage.
From the 'to make a bed of silt' installationSpeaking through symbols, folklore, and the interrelation of all things, their work aims to explore how identity and belonging are embodied in our environment and the senses. They have explored the idea of ‘queer archetypes’. The Sea, Sailors, and the Forest knot themselves into tales of belonging and spiritual ecology. They are interested in neuroqueering themes of transformation, desire and connection.
Quietly threading powerful narratives through fiction and fabulation. With a sensitive use of materials: they create installations by integrating drawing, writing, sculpture, moving image, sound and textiles as a unified web of storytelling. Projects emerge as ever-expanding worlds from an intense period of gathering, exploration, and play.
How to ComposeQuietly threading powerful narratives through fiction and fabulation.
Bio
I graduated from Arts University Bournemouth with a BA (hons) Fashion Design in 2019, with a focus in textiles and sustainability. After university, using second-hand & deadstock materials, I taught myself to make hats - loaning to stylists, selling pieces and working on commissions. Growing up in Portsmouth with its strong naval history and Dockyard, the imagery of tricorns, sailors and pirates has subconsciously been speaking to me since childhood.
My background in textiles, design and visual research has informed my approach to making as an artist. Through a period of development in 2023-24, whilst sharing a studio at spudWORKS, I expanded my creative approach from design to an interdisciplinary practice, resulting in the project ‘wandering sailor’ which consists of a short film, ink drawings, archival objects and costume.
Through assisting Janetka Platun with workshops for Breakout Youth during her project SPINE & receiving mentoring from her, I began working as a facilitator, establishing Together - Make Art! for SPUD in Sway (New Forest) running weekly workshops for LGBTQIA+ young people in 2023-2025.
In 2025, I took part in Resonate (ii) an artist development programme & commission with Play Office & Thomas Buckley, responding to local heritage through Mary Rose Museum & new technologies, resulting in an immersive group exhibition In Touch, In Ruin at Aspex Portsmouth.
In 2025-26 I am developing my facilitation and socially-engaged practice with a Develop Your Creative Practice grant from Arts Council England, exploring queerness in relation to the sea/coast, through mentoring, collaborations & research - delivering free workshops for LGBTQIA+ adults in Portsmouth in 2026.
Artist CV
Residencies:
Resonate (ii) at Play Office with Thomas Buckley, The Old Pay Office, Portsmouth Historic Quarter, Hampshire (January 2025 - August 2025)
Graduate LaunchPad, SPUD, spudWORKS, New Forest, Hampshire
(October 2023 - October 2024)
Exhibitions:
In Touch, In Ruin - Aspex Portsmouth, Hampshire
(24 July - 12 Oct 2025)
The Essence of Matter - Art Space Portsmouth, Hampshire
(21 - 27 Oct 2024)
Possibilities, Gaps, Overlaps - SPUD Graduate Launchpad, spudWORKS, Hampshire
(11 - 26 Sept 2024)
Glitterama - SPUD Artists Studios, spudWORKS, Hampshire
(30th Jan - 12th Feb 2024)
Our Changing Landscape - SPUD Open, spudWORKS, Hampshire
(Dec 2022 - Jan 2023)
Our New Common Forest: A Queer Almanac - PHOS (Lucy Pell & Luke Cash), SPUD, spudWORKS
(August 2022)
Talks:
Artist Talk - Aspex Portsmouth (02/10/2025)
Commissions:
2025: to make a bed of silt - Resonate (ii) - Play Office / In Touch, In Ruin - Aspex Portsmouth
2022: Love Token - an invitation to see the world in a different way (PHOS - Our New Common Forest)
Workshops & Facilitation:
Facilitator & Project Coordinator, Together - Make Art! at SPUD, mentoring from Janetka Platun
(Jan 2024 - April 2025)
Assisting Janetka Platun in workshops for Breakout Youth during her LGBTQIA+ residency with SPUD, spudWORKS
(July 2023)
MIX’zine - Southampton & IOW Music, Mayflower Studios
Published Work/Readings:
Crow - Seedlings Winter IV (2025)
Poetry Reading - Neuroqueering Love: A Gathering (2024)
Artist Feature - ROAM VOL.1 (2023)
Other:
Youth Voice & Creative Careers Researcher, Artswork
PONToon Project Assistant, Aspex Portsmouth