Hannah Bitowski-Smith ?

As a mixed media illustrator I find excitement in using different approaches to convey an image as well as questioning notions of drawing.

I work mainly in creating imagery through print, stitch, paper manipulation, crochet, embroidery, as well as taking more unconventional approaches such as wire manipulation to represent drawn lines in space.

I am interested in the integration of craft and technology and the reaction of irony in which that evokes.

I am also intrigued by society’s perception of craft, as well as how the humble element of a craft made item can sit within the sleek realms of technology.

This fusion of ‘tactile graphics’ is what inspires my work. Hence my attempt to fuse the two together by cross-stitching frames in order to create a stop-frame animation.

I relate the contrast of crafts and technology with the similar contrast of feminine and masculine.

To me craft is feminine, technology is masculine they are each other’s opposite yet they can work together to create something unique and challenging. This contrast is quite impelling. This connects with the other aspect of my work; the interests in human expression, along with a growing love of theatrical stage settings and props.

The themes that are portrayed within these settings are altered identities; Mexican wrestlers camping themselves with elaborate masks and acting as superheroes, bearded and tattooed ladies of 1920’s showing their more masculine side and breaking previous perceptions of femininity; they both convey a similar message, the use of how we either project or mask our sense of self.

This sits within the idea of creating a tactile poster in the approach of a stage setting to portray something that would usually be seen as 2D. Juxtapositions and transitions are the glue that holds the connecting threads throughout the project.

Hannah Rose Bitowski-Smith Curriculum Vitae
91 Upperton Rd
Leicester
LE3 0HE
Tel: 07593992315

PERSONAL:

I am an enthusiastic and willing individual that has a strong passion for creativity and making. I credit myself on having already been involved in many public projects from a very young age which has given me the confidence to be sure of my practice and work with other artists and members of public with ease. My personal art is connected to my love of illustration with my enthusiasm for engaging many different mediums to realise my designs.

EDUCATION:

OCT ’07-PRESENT: (BA) Honours in Design Crafts, De Montfort University.
SEPT’05- JUNE ’06: W.J.C.E. Art Foundation Diploma (Merit), Coleg Menai, Bangor, North Wales.
SEPT ’03- JUNE ’05: A-levels: Biology and Art and Design.
AS-levels: Design Technology and French all gained during Sixth Form at Ysgol Aberconwy, Conwy, North Wales.
SEPT ’01- JUNE’03: GCSE’s: Art (A
), Maths (B), English Language (B), English Lit. (B), Welsh (A
), I.T
(A), R.E (A),Physics (A), Biology (A), Chemistry (A), French and Geography (A): Gained at Ysgol
Aberconwy, North Wales.

EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE:

The Big Art Factory: Tan-y-Lan Youth Club Old Colwyn., Jul 2009.
Paid workshop facilitator, assisting in a workshop of 18 children aged 6-12 years. The aim was to produce 5 ceramic Odu drums using clay coiling techniques; these would then be used in The Big Art Factory’s ‘Battle of the Birds’ lantern parade and performance in Conwy.

The Press Rooms: Conwy, June-Sept 2009.
Based in a shop selling local arts and crafts I was employed to design and create items for selling in the shop, ranging from hand printed greeting cards, to bunting and bespoke bags.

The Big Art Factory: Conwy River Festival ‘Fruits of the Sea’ workshops and parade, North Wales, July/Aug 2008
Paid workshop assistant for Big Art Factory Community Arts organisation based in north Wales.
My involvement included designing and making processional sculptures as well as large scale lanterns, children’s workshop facilitator, street performer, publicity and parade photographer with images that were eventually displayed in the Royal Cambrian Academy, Conwy.

VOLUNTARY EXPERIENCE:

Rob Ryan’s Assistant- Work experience: RyanTown, Bethnal Green, Nov 2009
Trial work Experience with paper-cut illustrator Rob Ryan. I spent time with Rob and his team creating a large scale paper-cut window display for the opening night of his Columbia Rd shop in time for the Christmas shopping season. As a trial work experience this went well and I have been asked to come back for more experience once I have finished my final year at DMU.

The Big Art Factory: ‘Battle of the Birds’ Parade as part of Conwy River festival July-August 2009
Here I worked as a workshop assistant that involved leading children’s workshops to create masks and small willow lanterns. I was also responsible in creating large scale lanterns and props, as well as designing and creating an articulated puppet made from willow, wire and paper to be used within the parade and performance. I was involved in designing and creating posters and large banners as part of the publicity.

The Big Art Factory: Conwy River Festival Parades throughout 2003-2007.
I have been a willing, enthusiastic and reliable volunteer that has been involved with every parade since 2003, throughout the earlier years I have been involved in work involving batik, mask making, lantern making, large scale willow and bamboo sculpture construction, children’s workshop facilitator, shadow puppets and costume making to name a few. It has been a valuable experience and confidence for me to get involved with so many projects over the years starting from such a young age.

NSPCC Mural Bangor -Big Art Factory public Arts Project, Aug 2005
Working with unemployed young people to design and create a mural to decorate the main entrance to the NSPCC Headquarters in Bangor, making it more child friendly and welcoming.
Adapting designs produced by young Careers Group from a colour/emotion worshop.

Porth-y-Felin Subway Mural- Big Art Factory-Public Arts Project June 2004.
I was Involved in regenerating a subway that was formally covered in obscene graffiti. The subway was situated close to a local Primary school and also used as the main entrance to the town from the tourist car park. Work involved researching, designing and painting a large mural depicting historical and environmental aspects of the town of Conwy.
After 30 hours voluntary work I gained:
• Millennium Volunteer Certificate from Welsh Assembly Government.
• Big Art Factory Award
• BAG training in the arts

TRAINED SKILLS:
Textiles: Screen Printing, heat transfer dyes, fabric manipulation, appliqué, felt making, crocheting, knitting, batik, quilting, embroidery(free hand and machine), pattern making and assembling basic weaving skills, very confident sewing machine user.
Paper: Various book binding techniques, manipulated paper structures, lantern making, papier-mâché, paper cutting illustrator.
Other: Plaster mould making. Coiling and slab building (ceramics); rubber stamp making; basic cold-glass work; basic glass blowing ; basic jewellery making skills (piercing, soldering, jump ring making, doming, polishing/finishing); bamboo and willow structure constructing. Mask making; basic knowledge in Puppetry.
Software: Microsoft Office; Photoshop; Flash; Rhino.

COMMISIONS:

Boom Ting Recordings: Commissioned to design a range