Holly Delaney (b.1992) lives and works in Brighton, UK. Her practice is expressed through paintings of an abstract form, where gold leaf often dominates. Working on large-scale canvases, she uses oils to create paintings which are fully-charged and poetic; confronting and calm. Holly graduated from Central Saint Martins in 2016 with a degree in Fine Art and has a growing list of international clients.
“The large-scale canvases allow me to give energy and movement to my paintings; the mark making can open up and become liberated and more expressive, mimicking my presence in front of the canvas. And whilst the paintings are large, the process remains intimate; I draw inspiration from my dreams, from nature, from the every day. I lose myself in my thoughts and often allow day-dreaming to take over, pulling me into a meditative state while I paint.
My contemplation of the painting’s journey is a significant element of my practice with my internal monologue leading each mark. The process is drawn out and obsessive, as I sit back from the painting to give myself the space to contemplate its evolution. It is both ordered and intuitive chaos. And ultimately, each painting is a self-portrait; the day’s meditations pouring into each painting.”