Patrick Hoban
Australia
Multi-layered, both physically and visually, Patrick’s art reflects his abiding interest in printing, which formed his degree major from Melbourne University, from which Patrick graduated in 1996. The printing of sporadic numbers, letters and symbols is a direct correlation to the symbols we encounter directly and non-directly throughout the course of a normal day. These symbols of the English language are something that the artist, like so many others, has been taught to identify from a young age, and relate to himself.
We live in a mist of symbols and identifying marks that seem to live beyond our reach in databases, online or in other people’s minds and references. As Patrick says: In a direct sense, picture yourself being shadowed by a stenographer for a day. How many symbols that we identify with, will be stamped out on paper?
Patrick’s sense of the world of symbols that surrounds us finds a poetic expression in his paintings; whilst we can know each symbol, each letter, the whole remains enigmatic. The paintings he produces embody this lack of direct translation whilst being very attractive, indicates that his feelings on symbols find a resonance in all of us. The images invite us to study them, to look for “hidden” words, to try to find ourselves reflected in them.
Patrick clearly talks about his art as ‘these symbols’. He says: ‘These symbols are the way in which our society is directed. It’s through these symbols that I am able to communicate, in my daily routine and through my paintings. I feel that this is a facet of our daily life that most of us are oblivious to.’
Patrick currently lives and works in Australia.