Hannah Cole Dahar discusses her inspirations
By Zachary Lewis
Hannah Cole Dahar is an artist and art educator whose studio is based in Manchester at Mosaic Gallery.
“Currently… through Dec. 22, Mosaic Art Collective has their small works shows called ‘Small Wonders.’ It’s a great way to come on in and find beautiful one-of-a-kind gifts for people. A lot of local artists and artisans have work of all price points and subjects and styles, so there’s a little bit of everything for everyone,” Dahar said.
Mosaic is also holding a couple of fundraisers. “There are two benefits that we are hosting. One is an ongoing raffle with weekly draws and the money will go directly to benefit the New Hampshire Reproductive Freedom Fund.” The gallery is also looking for unwanted paints and brushes. “The other thing that we’re doing is we are collecting art supplies for children at Waypoint. If you come to Mosaic … during operating hours you can come on in, we will collect the supplies and make sure that it gets to Waypoint.”
Dahar is adept at many artistic media; for the Small Wonders exhibit she has a sterling silver pearl and cast necklace. “I call it Snowdrops,” she said. “Usually, my work is much edgier, but for the holiday season I decided to make something that was a little bit whimsical and fanciful …. You’ve got to have fun too. It’s made out of pearls, sterling silver and chalcedony.”
Dahar said that available time can often determine the direction of her creations.
“When I have more time I love to sit down with a very formal and elaborate painting. If I have a six-hour window, I’m going hyper-realistic scale. The icon paintings, they’re kind of in between. It combines a love of all of the mediums that I love to work with, and history and mythology. Lately I’ve really been getting into people’s stories. Instead of reinventing a historical or mythological people, viewing how they see themselves through their own lens and having them tell their particular story.”
A recent example is about the story of her friend Jen and mockingbirds. Hannah uses various stones and natural materials to construct the piece. “She feels a very strong connection with mockingbirds and she has to be surrounded by mockingbirds. So we made that happen. There’s a tree outside their house where they nest. The neighborhood cat, Sumo, harasses them and unfortunately does their little fledglings in and so that was the story that she chose to tell. I have another one where … I’m incorporating that idea of nests and home and the eggs… .”
She invites everyone to experience what Mosaic and See Saw Art, the gallery next door, has to offer. “My door is always open when Mosaic and See Saw are open. Stop on by and enjoy the space, kind of pick and poke,” Dahar said.
Small Wonders and more
Small Wonders Miniature Art Show
Mosaic Art Collective, 66 Hanover St., Manchester
Now through Sunday, Dec. 22
Wednesdays through Fridays from 2 to 6 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.
coledahar.com
mosaicartcollective.com
See Saw Art
66 Hanover St., Manchester
seesaw.gallery
Featured image: “Hecate The High Priestess.” Oil on Copper Plated Aluminum in an Architectural Frame. Photo by Zachary Lewis.