London-based visual artist Eve de Haan is inspired by the essence of life, youth culture and her love of the written word. Her practice focuses on installations that embrace the electrifying medium of neon lighting. She employs art as a form of communication, questioning the shade of significance within a statement. Unveiled in intriguing installations that gleam thought-provoking messages with a neon luminosity.
I find it interesting to see how words can mean different things to different people when presented through various mediums.
Eve De Haan
De Haan’s current body of work examines theories of change and how technology impacts adolescent culture—critiquing the ideology of online behaviour, social influence and themes prominent to the digital environment of today’s youth.
Early this year, she collaborated with Reclaim These Streets’ on the ‘Text Me When You Get Home’ campaign. Her work was placed on billboards around London—expressing how safeguarding and safety fears have become a common way of life for females after dark.
Eve has exhibited installations in Saatchi gallery and the Museum of Neon in LA, currently represented by Zebra One Gallery in Hampstead. In this interview, we learn more about Eve’s creative process and what next for her as an artist.
Q: For those who don’t know you, can you please introduce yourself?
Eve De Haan: I am a London based artist, working with neon as my preferred medium. I am 29 and of mixed heritage; I am half Mauritian half English. I am making artwork that is progressive and positive.
Q: What is your inspiration, and why do you do what you do?
Eve De Haan: My inspiration comes from everyday life, appreciating what is around me, and youth culture. I see art as a form of communication.
Q: Can you tell us about your creative process?
Eve De Haan: I love coming up with concepts, sitting in front of a blank piece of paper and a pencil. I’m old school so, all my ideas go down on paper first.
I like to develop a concept, then stick it on the wall and live with it for a few days. If it still speaks to me after that, that’s when I start turning that idea into something physical.
Q: Your work has a running theme of written word fused with a neon palette. Can you tell us the motivation behind this?
Eve De Haan: I love semantics, I studied theology at university, and I believe this is where I realised how powerful words can be. I find it interesting to see how words can mean different things to different people when presented through various mediums. I find neon the perfect medium to explore this phenomenon.
Q: What is the reason behind the name Half a roast chicken?
Eve De Haan: When I started making art, I wanted a name that had nothing to do with my practice. In some way, this relieved some of the pressure I put on myself when I was creating. I also hoped it would make someone smile when they saw it written next to a piece of my work.
Q: What was the first piece of Art you created that cemented your path as an artist?
Eve De Haan: I think after I made my “do not trust robots” artwork, I felt like I could do this, and at the same time, make some sort of positive change.
Q: What is your favourite piece from your body of work, and why?
Eve De Haan: My favourite piece would probably be “do not trust robots” because it was the first time I mixed neon with other mediums. I also loved working with zebra one gallery to make the “text me when you get home” campaign, as this was such an important message to try to convey.
Q: In your opinion, what is the lasting impact of Art?
Eve De Haan: I think art is a way that people communicate and a way people can leave a mark. It is so important to try and speak your truth through art to express a feeling or notion.
Q: What do you think about the current state of the art world?
Eve De Haan: I am happy to see a more inclusive and diverse art world, and I hope to see this continue.
Q: What are your thoughts on NFT art and the current NFT market boom?
Eve De Haan: I think the expansion of art into as many spheres as possible can only be a positive thing. I think the more people can enjoy art, the better.
Q: What role does the artist have in society?
Eve De Haan: To communicate one’s truth.
Q: What’s next for you as an artist?
Eve De Haan: I have been lucky enough to have had another baby this year. I hope that I am able to express what it means to be a mother through more of my work this year, as it has been such a beautiful journey.
I hope to have a solo show at the end of the year, and I’ve got some exciting group shows coming up in the next few weeks. All the info of my upcoming shows can be found on my Instagram @halfaroastchicken.
Q: Lastly, what does Art mean to you?
Eve De Haan: Art means the world to me. I enjoy making art and see it as an expression of freedom. I am so lucky to be able to express myself through art.
https://zebraonegallery.com/artists/
https://www.instagram.com/halfaroastchicken
©2021 Eve De Haan
Len is a curator and a contributing writer at Art Plugged, a platform for contemporary art; he also engages in web development, design, and marketing.
