Maria Harding

We can’t fly but catching a moment in flight makes us feel like we can. Birds in motion, caught in flight and a still gaze that looks out to hold the observer. Soft, inviting and elegant, her expressive art brings a sweetness to the home with delectable innocence that is engaging to the find that we seek within.

Maria Harding grew up in England studying art at Liverpool University where she specialised in expressive painting. Since finishing she has been working in illustration and graphic design. After she gave birth to her son it gave her the time to express herself differently as an already creatively employed person. Firstly doing small artworks for other parents of their children and releasing a children's book ‘Animal ABC’. During this time she really started to create more within the therapy that art had given her. 

Painting predominantly birds, their symbolic nature and the freedom they represent. The therapy that the bird in flight represents when life can feel so restrictive. Even when we can be expressing people, sometimes even our words cannot tell what we honestly may be thinking or feeling, yet an artwork can speak for us. Harding had been observing a Barn Owl through a documentary that led to her creating an untouchable moment, the angelic association seen with the Barn Owl that also represents the symbol of knowledge and death. The silent hunter, moving with speed as it is launching upon its unknown prey.

The reflection and introspective nature of her art, such as the crow hiding behind its wings still in motion however, the face is hidden. The darkness is often associated with the crow in typical symbolism and the soft pink flow that exists within its flight calms the painting for standard expectations. She works with colour and symbolism to juxtapose the emotional explosion that typically can be associated. Big brush strokes with different colours more so, in the pastel colour tone that gives energy and freedom to make it feel like we were meant to fly. She experiments consistently with the way she designs, adapting to what works.

What is interesting is her artworks before 2022 primarily had all been birds in flight yet ‘The Visitor’ is grounded. Majestic, elegant and inviting the grounded bird looks as if it is amidst a fiery scape yet it does not seem like it is an aggressive fire scape that consumes the canvas, but rather peaceful as the bird looks back to the audience with gentle kind eyes.

Painting this piece was for the process that it gave her; starting with smaller pieces originally of other birds that just let her dabble with potential. It allows her to experiment firstly with her thoughts and find comfort within the painting cycle and rebuild the courage to start again. Regularly taking breaks and not becoming overwhelmed in thought or perfectionism but rather allowing the painting to take shape through what she feels and following instinct.

Her effect with colour and symbolism changes the way we would normally see the two together. Painting birds that symbolise freedom can also symbolise the darker reality that is made by history and culture and neutralising this with colours that are warm, inviting and carefree pastels. She is providing a new way of symbolism, the colour, expression and the partnership that guides your inner being to find calm in the freedom that she has expressed.

Maria Harding was Interviewed in April 2022
By Danny Booth

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Maria Harding website

events:
Affordable Art Fair - June 02-04 2022
The Other Art Fair - July 21 - 24 2022