hana artist
Born in 1986, London, United Kingdom
Lives and works in The Republic of Ireland
hana invented placrylic, an entirely new sustainable hybrid medium for the art world, in 2020
hana invented placo, an entirely new sustainable oil based fine artist painting medium, in 2021
biography
Known for her mastery and reinterpretation of the ancient Sgraffito technique, traditionally used in African and Italian art, hana reimagines this practice by incorporating it into contemporary abstract compositions. Sgraffito, which was once used for depicting faces or architecture, takes on new life in her hands, creating intricate layers of meaning and texture, works that question our involvement with the plant world in the past present and future
In 2020, Hana's commitment to both artistic innovation and environmental sustainability led her to develop two revolutionary mediums: Placo and Placrylic. Placo, an oil-based medium made from plant-based pigments, eliminates the need for toxic solvents and relies on renewable resources
This innovation protects the health of artists, art restorers, collectors and significantly reduces the environmental impact of oil painting
Born in London, England, in 1986, hana's works have been exhibited in both solo and group shows, including her notable group exhibition, Migration, at a National Trust Property in Yorkshire, Middlethorpe Hall.
Her works are held in both private and public collections and placrylic has received critical acclaim from Camberwell College of the arts and University of the Arts London. The Sustainability Editor of Vogue has also endorsed her innovative approach to sustainable art practices. With a deep commitment to creating art that bridges ancient techniques with contemporary sustainability, hana artist continues to expand the possibilities of what art can achieve, pushing beyond the canvas with both her conceptual vision and material innovation
sgraffito technique
A key reason for incorporating Sgraffito into her practice is to test the texture and versatility of the new mediums she invented—placrylic and placo. By carving into layers of these paints, Hana evaluates the viability of different plants and pigments and their potential for use
This experimentation helps refine the innovative qualities of her sustainable, artist-friendly mediums. Rather than sticking to representational forms, Hana uses Sgraffito to carve into vibrant layers of paint, revealing unexpected colours and shapes beneath the surface
This approach allows her to explore abstraction while testing the performance of her paints, with a focus on contrast, movement, and texture. By transforming an ancient technique into something fresh and innovative, she bridges the gap between history and contemporary abstraction
plant bags
The plant bag body of work utilises a combination of technology, artificial intelligence and human creativity to explore the tension between nature and artificial perfection. The process typically begins with a hand-drawn sketch. From there, hana feeds the design into a specially trained AI software, generating an image that is later modified in Photoshop. The final product, a “plant bag”--is a surreal combination of a perfect, artificial-looking bag with vibrant, unnatural plants painted with placrylic
The perfectly polished bag contrasts with the unrealistic placement of the plants, questioning the idea that we can artificially "improve" nature. At its core, the work is a statement about sustainability and the impossibility of truly altering the natural world through technological or synthetic means. It’s an ironic reflection on AI's attempt to recreate the organic, showing that while AI can create flawless designs, nature’s inherent imperfections are irreplaceable
Solo Shows
2020: Inventing Artist Paints, Brook Street Gallery, Mayfair, London, England
Group Exhibitions
2021: Seasons: King House Gallery, Stratford upon Avon, England
2022: Migration, The National Trust's Middlethorpe Hall, York, England
Public Collections
2022: The National Trust's Middlethorpe Hall, England,
Private Collections
2020: Shutters on the beach, California, USA
2020: The Leaf Master Cigars, Hilton Al Habtoor, Dubai
2020: Renaissance Los Angeles Marriott Airport Hotel, USA
2021 - 2024: Other undisclosed high profile influential collectors for privacy
Education: Academic Tuition
Otis College of Art: Drawing on the right side of the brain
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising: Colour Theory
University of Nottingham: Chemistry and Advanced Materials
Harvard Graduate School of Design: Practical Climate Science
Education: Private Tuition
2015: Taught by Christina Mamakos (RCA) (Ruskin School of drawing)
2016: Taught by Linda Jo-Russell (Otis)
2018: Taught by D Meyer (FIDM)
2020: Taught by Annabel Boltsa (Chelsea school of art)
2020: Taught by Jessica Ostrowicz (RCA)
It is through this extensive and broad spectrum of academic learning that hana has been in a position to address global issues concerning sustainability and ecology, turning her attention to our petroleum crisis
Placo
Placo is a brand-new oil based medium invented by Hana Artist in 2020. During her studies at FIDM in Los Angeles in 2018 and London whilst training with Annabel Bolsta in 2020, hana became concerned with harmful chemicals, like turpentine, used in painting.
This led to the creation of placo. Unlike traditional paints, placo uses plant-based pigments and a single plant-derived binder that eliminates the need for toxic solvents. The binder evaporates without releasing harmful chemicals, offering health benefits for both the artist and the environment. Sustainably produced, placo avoids petroleum and mining, making it a more sustainable choice for the most talented established and emerging artists
By using plant-based pigments and binders, it reduces reliance on limited resources like petroleum and avoids the environmentally destructive processes associated with mining pigments
Unlike traditional paints that use earth-based pigments sourced through labour-intensive mining, Placo uses pigments derived from hardy plants. These natural pigments are the oldest plants in nature, have existed for billions of years and yet they can be easily grown and sustainably harvested
Placo can be applied in a similar manner to traditional oil paints, but with fewer health risks. It allows artists to use familiar tools—brushes, palette knives, etc.—without needing toxic solvents for thinning or cleaning. This simplicity and safety make it a more user-friendly medium
Placrylic
Placrylic is a brand new, hybrid, versatile medium that can act like oil, gouache, tempera, acrylic, and watercolour
Invented in 2020 by Hana Artist, placrylic a groundbreaking hybrid medium that combines the vibrancy and fast-drying benefits of acrylic paint with the depth and texture traditionally associated with oil-based paints. As a sustainable alternative to conventional materials, placrylic eliminates the need for harmful chemical solvents, making it safer for artists and also more ecologically responsible
Since its creation, Placrylic has been adopted by over 100 artists worldwide, demonstrating its growing impact on the contemporary art world. It has received endorsements from prestigious institutions such as the Camberwell College of The Arts, where its sustainable and innovative properties have been recognized. Additionally, placrylic has garnered significant critical attention, including endorsements from notable figures such as the Sustainability Editor of Vogue. The medium has been featured in both public and private collections, including a University of the Arts London Library
As a chameleon of a medium, placrylic offers unparalleled versatility. It can mimic the qualities of oil, gouache, tempera, acrylic, and watercolour, making it adaptable to a wide range of artistic styles and techniques. Used in Hana’s own practice, Placrylic allows for dynamic, layered compositions that maintain a unique texture without compromising drying time or durability. Its adaptability makes it ideal for both abstract and detailed works, offering a unique flexibility in the creative process. As more artists adopt sustainable methods, placrylic represents a vital contribution to the future of art, providing a medium that upholds both creative integrity and ecological responsibility