A master of fine art and interiors, Hannah Polskin always considers the context and placement of her pieces within a home. Both her art and interior design reflect the crisp and sleek lines of modern style with warmth introduced in the form of natural tones and materials. A New York native currently living and working in LA, Polskin recently added pieces such as mirrors, kitchen islands and rugs to her repertoire. Find out more about her unique work in this week’s Maker Monday.
Deep curves are the base of Hannah’s free-form art. Inspired by experiential art, Hannah is most at home when she is able to take over space and have one piece bleed into another.
Andrew Joseph: Describe your design style as if you were explaining it to someone who cannot see.
Hannah Polskin: I create undulating shapes set in stark contrast to their surroundings. In a mostly neutral color palette, I aim to bring spaces to life with motifs that have a natural movement and energy to them. I love the relationship between art, decor, and the overall context of the home and specifically work with materials like Birch and Burl wood to create a connection to nature indoors.
AJ: If you could live in any home in a movie or television series, what would it be?
HP: I love this question. It’s a toss-up between the Flintstones and The Jetsons and ideally, would be a mix of both. I’m thinking Space Age surrealism crossed with rustic textures.
AJ: If you weren’t an artist/designer, you’d be a ….?
HP: Probably an anthropologist. I spent ten years after art school working in consumer insights at a small think tank in NYC called TOBE. Understanding purchasing patterns and the psychology behind what people value was a fascinating subject matter for me. I often get the feedback that my art is like a Rorschach test which always reminds me of my former professional life.
Each one of Hannah’s mirrors are hand carved and can be made in a variety of different materials.
AJ: What are three words to describe where you live?
HP: Minimal, energetic, experimental. Everything in here is always changing, I like to mix up the space weekly to make room for new commissions and give them their moment.
AJ: What’s something you always travel with?
HP: My keychain tape measure and I are inseparable. You never know when you’ll run into a lonely wall that needs some art.
AJ: How would you describe your personal style?
HP: My aesthetic is pretty much the same across the board– I gravitate towards neutrals, clean lines, and natural materials in my art, decor, and wardrobe. Expanding into home decor with pieces like menorahs and rugs was a natural next step for me because I feel so passionate about this style and its wide application.
AJ: Secret talent?
HP: I have a really old Nintendo 64 and I am unbeatable as Bowser when I play Mario Kart 64.
Each of Hannah’s works, from paintings to sculptures, are one-of-a-kind and created with mindful techniques.
AJ: How do you define beauty?
HP: For me, it’s about a feeling, a calmness that comes off a creation. Shapes that really hold my eye are the ones that feel soothing and have harmony to them.
AJ: What are three things you can’t live without?
HP: Sharpies (I sign all my work in them), biltong (like an African version of beef jerky that my Zimbabwean mom turned me onto from a young age), and my copy of Dune that I can’t put down right now.
AJ: If you had one more hour in the day what would you do with it?
HP: Glass blowing has been high on my list for years and I’m desperate to try it. Learning how to work with new materials beyond wood is something I want to devote more time to.
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