TRIP is a creative project, that has been nurtured by artist Hannah Whittam since she was 15 years old, exploring the interconnectedness of humanity. Named so to reflect our journey or 'TRIP' back to ourselves and each other, the project explores themes of: isolation, belonging, interdependence, protection, community and the commonalities of the human experience.
TRIP intends to highlight the consequences of seeing one's self in isolation and raises questions about how this impacts the relationship with our core wants and needs. Each piece intends to highlight the power of the connection that inspired it, making the process of each art work emotionally charged. In doing so, TRIP promotes introspection into the influence of greater individualisation and digitisation of the world. Importantly, how we can promote a culture of interdependence again - that needing each other is not a weakness.
The process begins from the reflections on experiences from . These are then translated onto the canvas, using bold colours, affirming outlines and striking shapes to communicate our innermost desires for connection and community with out shame. This highlights the power in vulnerability and how it can form a quiet revolution against increasing isolation.
Rather than painting under her own name, TRIP was created to reflect the collaborative nature in which an artist draws inspiration from and to remove the separation between viewer and artist. Hannah weaves universal threads of our desires, needs and stories from connections and conversations she has been a part of. This invites viewers to actively participate in the art's creation, as well as understanding that no matter how small, everyone is capable of having an impact. TRIP's catalogue draws attention to the subtle ways in which a connection can shape and grow the trajectory of your journey. The result, is art that seeks to remind us of the collective experience of being human in which we are all sharing in - and the compassion for one another that comes with that understanding.
TRIP is a metaphor for our journey back to one another. From isolation to connection. The idea that no matter how small our world is, we can make an impact in the way we choose to interact with one another and that ripples out. With ever growing humanitarian issues across the world and scientific developments, we are being called to answer the question about what it means to be human.