"This series of paintings, created between 2022–24, marks a deliberate departure from my previous work. It began with one unexpected, experimental piece—born out of frustration, burnout, and the aftermath of funding rejections. After years of hyper-realistic commissions, I craved a way of working that felt more aligned with my energy: raw, playful, and expressive.

The emergence of skulls and skeletons took me by surprise. With a background in acting, music, and theatre, my artistic drive has always been rooted in a desire to understand what makes us human. Stripping away identity markers—like skin colour, gender, or status—the skeleton becomes a universal symbol. It’s about what we all share, rather than what sets us apart.

While I didn’t set out to explore death, it’s impossible to ignore its presence within the skeleton imagery. But mortality, to me, is not bleak—it's grounding. It reminds me to live more fully, to seek presence, joy, and gratitude.

The vivid colours and abstraction reflect my internal world and my belief that reality is shaped more by emotion and perception than fact. These works are, in essence, about connection, freedom, and the strange beauty of being alive."

- Mia Hawk, May 2025

About the artist:
For over a decade Mia Hawk (Studio 5-120) has worked independently as an artist, painter and designer. Having always been a creative and pondering soul, the act of creating (with passion) has been at the centre of her life since childhood. Born in Norway, moving to London in 2007, she graduated from drama school, and started working in theatre as an actor musician. Having drawn for fun often during childhood, Mia set up a little business selling her art at markets, fairs and online, to support her acting career, until it became clear that most of her efforts where going into making art!

Most of Mia’s business has been centred online, and around commission works. Mia has sold weekly at markets for a number of years, including Brick Lane Market, Spitalfields Market and Canopy Market, as well as independent markets and fairs including London Illustration Fair, Crafty Fox, Pexmas, London Local and Urban Makers.

For more on Mia's work visit www.miahawk.co.uk and follow on Instagram @miaskyhawk

Thames-Side Studios Lounge is located on the second floor of Unit 0 and open to all studio holders and by appointment. For non-studio holders please contact the artist to arrange an appointment.