Creative Parents — Hannah Lange
Next up in our Creative Parents series, we speak to Wiradjuri artist and mother of two Hannah Lange, who first began painting during 2020’s covid lockdowns.
Words: Emma-Kate Wilson | Photography: Simple Wild Photography
‘Once I started sharing my art with people, it just took off, and I am forever grateful,’ says Hannah Lange. Photo: Simple Wild Photography
Based on Bundjalung country in the Northern Rivers NSW, Hannah Lange is surrounded by a creative community that cherishes family life and a deep respect for Country. Her practice directly responds to this after growing up submerged in nature in Sydney’s Blue Mountains on Darug and Gundungurra Country.
‘Most of my work is inspired from my childhood growing up in the bush of the Blue Mountains,’ says the artist. ‘I think this is why I am able to represent nature in the way I do. I was raised in the bush, always surrounded by nature.’
Hannah moved up to the Northern Rivers with her husband, son (six years old) and daughter (three years old) just before covid hit. It was here, faced with the isolation and distance from her Country, that she first began painting to reconnect with the miracles found in nature.
‘I want to represent the power of nature and educate people on our deep connection with country; I feel this connection in my DNA,’ says Hannah. ‘Wiradjuri people are known as the people of three rivers, I feel my connection to rivers deeply, and you will see them represented often in my artworks.’
This is at the heart of Hannah’s new series, Galing. Using the Wardjuri word for water as the title, Hannah was inspired by ‘the colours, the ripples, the flow, the treasures it delivers, the way sunlight interacts with it and the way water makes me feel.’ After the devastating effect and power of water in recent times, Hannah is donating 10% of proceeds to families affected.
‘I merged my studio with the house — I do most of my paintings at the dining room table now, to allow me to be present as a mum and paint at the same time,’ says Hannah Lange. Photo: Simple Wild Photography
Giraang Bangil - Leaf Vein by Hannah Lange.
“My work is inspired by Country and the little miracles found in nature. I want to tell nature stories in my art, little intricate details that may go unnoticed by most people.”
‘I’ve always been a creative person, but I never thought I was good enough to actually create and sell something (hello imposter syndrome). After I had children and I had to close my past business due to covid, I felt my ancestors just lead me down this path,’ says Hannah Lange. Photo: Simple Wild Photography
“I started professionally painting in 2020 when covid first hit Australia. I had recently moved to a new area, and I felt distant and disconnected from my culture. I started painting to feel reconnected in that time of isolation.”
Bila Birang - River Journey by Hannah Lange.
‘I started professionally painting in 2020 when covid first hit Australia. I had recently moved to a new area, and I felt distant and disconnected from my culture. I started painting to feel reconnected in that time of isolation,’ says Hannah Lange. Photo: Simple Wild Photography
Using acrylic paints and occasionally ochre, Hannah had to ignore her imposter syndrome that made herself feel like she wasn’t ‘good’ enough to create. However, after the events of 2020 led her to close her business, the artist and mother shares she ‘felt my ancestors lead me down this path’. ‘I started painting to stay connected to culture and to give me a sense of purpose outside of being a mum,’ she adds.
With her eldest starting school this year, Hannah has found extra challenges with the school run, lunches, and keeping mini hands of wet canvases with no big brother to entertain the little one. Yet she tries to make time for a daily workout for herself and mental health, and after returning home from the school run, she sets aside four hours to paint and admin.
To juggle the balance of an art practice and young children, Hannah shares she creates whenever she can. ‘Even if it's only in 20-minute intervals. At first, this can seem hard to get in the creative zone and then have to get out of it so soon, however, your creative brain quickly adjusts, and I feel I can be so creative and efficient now that I am so time poor,’ she says.
Since embarking on her career in the arts, Hannah has noticed the pressure to keep up with those without children; it can take her weeks to complete one piece. ‘Thankfully, the galleries I am with are very patient and understanding of the fact that I am a mum and that always comes first,’ she adds. ‘It’s the same with my customers, they have been nothing but supportive, and at the end of the day, I can only do what I can do, and I have accepted that. I feel I might progress slower in my career, but that is ok!’
In recent news, Hannah has consigned pieces to Kate Owen Gallery in Sydney — a huge compliment knowing they have so many artists on board Hannah is inspired by; a commission by the spa brand Ikou — a new challenge unlike anything she has done before; and her first solo exhibition in Melbourne later in the year.
