Meet Hanna Jennings

We were lucky to catch up with Hanna Jennings recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hanna, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

Truly, finding the basic building blocks within the question of what makes me “me” alongside my likes and dislikes really helped me progress in the art world and with myself. I am neurodivergent, meaning I probably have synethesia and just different ways of seeing the world, especially through the senses. Music, dance and lighting comes relatively natural to me, alongside understanding color to a particularly high level– mainly due to so much of an art background. Combining these elements together really helped me form a cohesive idea of my style, purpose and where i want to go. Truthfully, the environment is a big issue i try to touch on in my work, hopefully building up stronger narratives and more deliberate intentions with materials as i and the planet age together. Finding my purpose came from acknowledging what makes me unique, but also what makes me similar. Art made me view the world for the heart of people, making and creating for people becomes the purpose. A way to understand and communicate in ways words can lack.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Currently my goal is to open a luxury-(ish) looking upcycled design company named “UntitledNumber21” by Hanna Jennings. I love high fashion and living in style as much as the next person. However, being in New York, you begin to acknowledge the worth of the world around you and just how much consumerism takes over our lives. Art will always be a main practice, but slowly it almost felt like through my paintings, which in themselves are expressive, abstracted, and more free spirited, the emotional yin practice, emerged a yang– design and structure. Design began to set in and I began to look at myself and my brain and emotions differently. Starting with a chair named “Scrappy Dog” made from low carbon mild steel, I began to alchemize with materials found, creating an aesthetic not just through 2d works, but are now are tangible items and pieces. I take inspiration from Vivienne Westwood and Virgil Abloh especially in the design world. I admire the ability to stand for something, for it provides passion. There is a quote that says “do things from love, not for it” and so with my art and designs, I make each project hoping to provide insights into life and the value of living on Earth.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Woodshop — it is so helpful. Ladies, you can do it! I started in the woodshop later than i should’ve in college (due to covid), but know the woodshop! It will benefit you not needing someone all the time to do things for you. Building my chair gave me so much confidence to keep showing up. Chairs are a symbol of stability to me so once i figured out how to make a physical and working chair, i felt like i really accomplished my sense of stability and confidence in the woodshop, despite stereotypes.

2. Lighting – I don’t mean the perfect lighting for a painting, but learning to view objects, the way light penetrates and can be captured is a divine phenomenon. It will help you see materials differently and cause you to really inspect your surroundings and perhaps look deeper into things. I really value photography. It is how i really started my art journey. It caused me to really analyze what i was seeing, attempting to subconsciously do or capture, and allowing me to think about ways to express or recreate these moments. It helps also in organizing compositions.

3. Architecture – know your architecture and architects. I think overall, the builders mindset of construction and approach as well as stability and necessities will help you stay organized and possibly see the bigger picture of a project. Even if your a painter, learning the basic building blocks and process will help you build a strong foundation.

Bloom with your work. Grow with it. Nurture it. Appreciate it.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

They let me express myself and follow my dreams. They are the best, truthfully. I got really lucky with the amount of time and love and creativity my mom and dad put into me. They keep me going and always are their to remind me of the power of self, but most importantly, the value of togetherness. I love them more than i could say in words. They really valued what i had to say and the way i saw the world. Their openminded-ness really kept me open-hearted to the world around me, which allows me a bit more empathy and excitement to explore what a dream can do. Perhaps it helps others find their purpose as well. Love goes a long way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hannajartist.wixsite.com/untitled/intro
• Instagram: @hannajennings21

Image Credits

All are mine.