BATHING BEAUTIES, BEAUTY PRODUCTS, & CARNIES BY CELESTE HANLON
Opening Reception: Friday, June 27 from 5 - 7 PM
On Exhibit through July 7
The Commons
46 Bradford Street, Provincetown
@celestehanlonart
celestehanlon.com
I grew up in the 1970’s in Greenwich Village, NYC. My father was a writer & my mother owned a vintage clothing store called “O Mistress Mine”. The clothing and the customers left an impression on me and ultimately inspired my art aesthetic . I have come to love everything vintage, from the fashion, make-up, and designs of everyday objects and products.
The focus of my work largely depicts images of women and beauty products of brands from the past in various mediums. I’ve been revisiting drawings I made and scaling them down into paintings and collages. My work is graphic in style using pen and ink with bright colored backgrounds or stretched vintage patterned fabric.
My ongoing series of Bathing Beauties reflects nostalgic memories of family, friends and experiences of yesteryear. My series "Carnies” draws its inspiration from the physical abilities and bravery of carnival performers living their lives as “outsiders” while traveling from town to town, on the fringe of a “normal” society.
My influences include Diane Arbus, Ben Shaun, Lisette Model and Andy Warhol.