Exhibition Feature

Bill Hope: Living Room

Curator Hayley Zena Poynton interviews

Altitude artist Bill Hope about his upcoming exhibition Living Room.

Hayley Zena Poynton: Your artistic practice often references the link between exterior spaces and interior states. What has drawn you to this contemplation?

Bill Hope: When I was a teenager, I had an affinity for the idea of my ‘room’ as a space that was my own and which could be a reflection of my burgeoning sense of self. I think that connection between a physical space and a sense of identity has extended into the studio space in which I work today and into a broader interest in architecture and how it influences us. Moving to the Mountains in 2019 gave me an increased awareness of my surroundings and community, and that has been reflected in my work

HZP: Illustration and drawing practices are beginning to venture into a new world of emerging technologies. How do you feel your practice has evolved through the aid of technology?

BH: I’ve always loved finding ways to extend my drawing practice through technology. I feel my practice is rooted in traditional drawing but digital media allows this drawing to become animation, projections, prints, installations, all sorts of things. Computers offer the allure of a kind of perfection in one’s work so I am often trying to find ways to ‘roughen up’ my digital drawing to keep the spontaneity and liveliness that is in so much traditional work.

HZP: You’re an incredibly prolific artist with a practice that spans multiple mediums and subjects. Do you have a favourite project you’ve worked on in recent years?

BH: Right now I’m working on a children’s book with the writer Andy Griffiths and that has been an absolute joy. Perhaps my favourite commercial job in the past few years has been designing Santa’s House at the Federation Square Christmas markets in Melbourne. The house was seen by thousands of families and it was so much fun to work on.