Hannah Davis, Emotional Ambivalence
Solo Exhibition at Formato Fine Arts in Wytheville, Virginia
On View April 9 – May 20
Opening Reception April 9 at 7PM
Formato Fine Arts is proud to present Emotional Ambivalence, a solo exhibition by contemporary painter Hannah Davis. On view April 9 through May 20 at our gallery in Wytheville, Virginia and online, this powerful new body of abstract acrylic paintings explores the coexistence of one's self and the external environments through layered markmaking, color, and movement.
This exhibition marks Hannah’s first solo show and introduces Southwest Virginia audiences to a deeply introspective and process-driven approach to abstraction.
What Is “Emotional Ambivalence”?
Hannah describes the core concept of the exhibition in her own words:
"Mirroring the show’s title, Emotional Ambivalence, the focus is on the coexistence of emotions, visualizing them abstractly. “Emotional ambivalence” describes the ability for multiple truths to exist within ourselves about any subject; people, ideas, conflict, etc."
Throughout the exhibition, viewers encounter works titled with paired emotional tensions such as:
MELANCHOLY HUMILIATION
FORBODING NOSTALGIA
COMPASIONATE LONGING
BLISSFUL DISMAY
DREADFUL AWE
ENVY STAINED ADMIRATION
REMORSEFUL VINDICTION
TRANCENDANCE WITH GUILT & SHAME
SUBLIME INDIGNATION
HOPELESS HYSTERIA
Each painting invites contemplation of emotional complexity rather than resolution.
As Hannah explains:
"This collection allows a space for all of these thoughts to exist simultaneously, rather than separating them at face value. There is a beautiful sense of unknown through abstraction."
BLISSFUL DISMAY
30" x 24"
Acrylic on Canvas
2026
A First Solo Exhibition After BFA
Hannah Davis earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art: Drawing & Painting from Bowling Green State University in 2025. Navigating life after undergrad informs much of this work.
She reflects:
"Navigating the world post-grad with my Bachelors in Fine Arts proudly in hand has been exciting, daunting, and uncertain, as new stages in life tend to be."
"What seemed to be the “finish line” was a jumping off point."
Rather than burnout, Hannah describes an intense need to question - driving the work further.
Abstract Painting as Emotional Visualization
The works in Emotional Ambivalence are acrylic on canvas, ranging from intimate 12” x 16” pieces to monumental 48” x 36” compositions. Scale is intentional and experimental.
When asked what questions are driving her work, Hannah writes:
-How can/should emotion be depicted?
-Who am I to be the one to do so?
-How can I connect with people emotionally through my work?
FORBODING NOSTALGIA
29" x 8"
Acrylic on Canvas
2026
Rather than depict emotion through facial expression or literal figuration, she strips it down to movement, washes, palette, and layering.
"Taking away how we, as people, see emotion… by stripping those into color and movement, maybe we will understand ourselves and our emotions more. Or at least bringing light to the ability for many to exist at once."
Process: Letting Paint Be Paint
A defining element of this exhibition is Hannah’s material sensitivity. She builds her own surfaces and works directly with raw canvas and clear gesso.
HOPELESS HYSTERIA *close up*
12" x 16"
Acrylic on Canvas
2026
"Preparing my own surfaces is an important part of my entire creative process."
"It is almost a ritual, the only calculated part of my process that there is a “correct” way to do it."
After preparation, the work shifts into intuition and layered washes.
"I pour different washes (watered down pigments) and marks that can be built upon."
"I still have yet to pinpoint what constitutes “finished” work, other than I feel it is done."
Her balance between control and chance echoes the exhibition’s emotional premise:
"I allow a balanced space for both to exist. There is only so much to control when it comes to looser mediums. Similar to emotions, there is only so much you can contain."
Influences: Vulnerability, Media, Nature
Hannah cites Dame Tracey Emin as a significant influence:
"Her work is so powerful, her presence matching. I listen to as many interviews of her as I can, I just love the vulnerability she emulates with such strength."
She also acknowledges the overwhelming nature of contemporary media and the emotional intensity of existing in today’s world.
"I find it both overwhelming and ironic that you can scroll between a comedy skit to images of war in the matter of seconds."
Nature remains a grounding force in her visual language:
"Specifically breezes and how they cause light movement... Water flowing, the trees rustling"
Even when figures are not directly present, she notes that the human body, particularly the female figure, remains embedded in the linework and movement.
ENVY STAINED ADMIRATION
15" x 27"
Acrylic on Canvas
2026
What Hannah Hopes Viewers Experience
"I hope viewers allow themselves to find a space to think. Space to feel emotions is something I have always searched for."
"I want people to try and find where they could see themselves and where their own complex emotions are found within."
Each painting title presents conflicting emotional states that viewers may claim or reject for themselves.
"Embrace the existence of multiple feelings at once rather than categorizing and confining them."
Visit the Exhibition in Wytheville, Virginia
Emotional Ambivalence
April 9 – May 20
Opening Reception: April 9 at 7PM
Formato Fine Arts
100 W Main Street
Wytheville, Virginia 24382
276-920-4004
formatofinearts@gmail.com
Dress however makes you comfortable.
Music, wine, and drinks will be available throughout the evening.
Parking is available on Main Street and on the side of the building.
There are multiple hotels in Wytheville for out-of-town guests.
