Superman and Hello Kitty, paintballs and glitter, sexuality and gun violence: These are not the typical phrases one encounters in an art discussion, especially in conjunction with one another. But some artists, such as Craig Hill, disagree with such a strict assessment of art.
Hill, who spoke in Yeager Recital Hall Sept. 3, calls himself a “pop artist with abstract painting tendencies” who uses “pop imagery in a very personal way.”
Hill spoke extensively about the topics he enjoys portraying, from gender to consumerism, and the media through which he expresses his ideas, which include acrylic paint, collages and stencils.
But Hill’s main focus with his artwork lies in the pieces’ social commentary. Using images of pop culture, Hill said he strives to “say something” on the topics about which he cares the most.
In a painting called “Pansy,” a robot, a plot of flowers and a Care Bear all share the canvas, relating to Hill’s love of juxtaposition. The hardness of the robot clashes with the softness of the flowers, while also playing with what is and isn’t effeminate. The notion of effeminacy versus femininity, and what is distinctly male or female, is a theme Hill said he plays with often.
“Tender Thoughts” also contributes to the battle between masculine and feminine, this time through the lens of love. The canvas painting features Cinderella and Jessica Rabbit, two iconic movie characters. Hill likens Cinderella to pure love and what girls think about, referencing little girls who wait for their princes to arrive. Jessica Rabbit, on the other hand, represents the sexuality that boys want. This piece also plays with the juxtaposition between gender desires.
Hill’s use of childhood icons does not go without purpose. He said he has seen how such images fuel consumerism and wanted to portray that in his art.
“(With the Disney Company), these childhood images gear you into (their) adult programs later on,” Hill said. He also noticed in research that Disney characters were used as marketing tools in wartime, associating seemingly innocent characters with violent situations.
Hill’s most personal piece is “Ohio”, which depicts a man in uniform holding a gun with two birds above him, one covered by a splattered red dot made from using a paintball gun on canvas. The piece – a commentary on gun violence and marketing guns to children – was inspired by two things: the progression of aisles in an Ohio Walmart from toys to toy guns to actual guns, and Hill’s own experience with a BB Gun as a child, during which he killed a bird after being told not to shoot at living things.
To say Hill is all over the place would be true, as he switches between tools and icons to make his point, but his commentary is a constant. No matter the topic, Hill said he has a clear vision of his art as a reaction to culture today. Through his individual style, Hill said he hopes to continue getting those points across, one canvas at a time.