Loie
Hollowell
Loie Hollowell is an American artist known for her vibrant abstract paintings. Her work is characterised by a distinctive use of geometric shapes, bold colours and a sculptural approach to the canvas. If you’re looking for Hollowell original prints and editions for sale or would like to sell, request a complimentary valuation and browse our network’s most in-demand works.
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Biography
Loie Hollowell was born in 1983 in Woodland, California. She is an American artist who has made significant contributions to contemporary abstract art, and her journey into the world of art began early, influenced by her parents, both of whom were artists. This early exposure profoundly shaped her aesthetic and conceptual approaches. Hollowell's education played a critical role in her artistic development: she earned a BFA from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and later, an MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University. Throughout her career, Hollowell's work has been showcased in numerous exhibitions, both solo and group, across the United States and internationally. Her rise in the art world has been marked by critical acclaim and recognition from art institutions and collectors alike.
Hollowell's work is renowned for its unique blend of geometric abstraction and biomorphic forms. Her paintings often evoke elements of the female body, landscapes and cosmic imagery, merging these themes with a distinct, vibrant colour palette. This synthesis results in pieces that are visually striking and deeply introspective, exploring themes of sexuality, fertility and spirituality. Her style is characterised by a central focal point that radiates outward, creating a sense of depth and dimension on the canvas. This method has become a hallmark of her work, distinguishing her within the realm of contemporary abstraction.
Now living in New York City, Hollowell is in a meteoric rise within the art world. She has been featured in the New York Times, who drew comparisons between her work and that of American masters such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Judy Chicago and Arthur Dove. She cannot be accused, however, of simply revisiting their techniques; instead she creates a visual lexicon that is entirely her own, prominently featuring classical motifs such as the mandorla to reimagine the female form in art. A notable aspect of Hollowell's work is her use of sculpted forms on her canvases. This technique challenges traditional perceptions of painting, blurring the lines between two-dimensional and three-dimensional art. These forms are integrated seamlessly into her canvases, engaging the viewer in a dynamic interaction with the artwork: as one navigates around the painting, the viewer is compelled to discern whether what they see is a flat illusion or a three-dimensional reality. This interplay adds a playful, performative element to Hollowell's art, showcasing her skill in manipulating space, surface, light, and shadow.
Represented by Pace Gallery, she has been included in prominent public and private collections, underlining her status as a significant emerging figure in contemporary art. Her work has been sold at Christie’s – where it sold for double its estimate in July 2023 – and staged at Victoria Miro. Hollowell’s art has been hugely successful, especially in large international markets such as Hong Kong, where one of her paintings sold for $2.1 million in 2021.
Hollowell's contribution to the art world goes beyond her distinct visual style; her work often sparks conversations about femininity, the human experience, and the intersection between the physical and the metaphysical. In 2022, she made waves by creating NFTs in support of women’s reproductive rights in the United States. By exploring these themes through her unique lens, she offers a fresh perspective on abstract art, making her an influential and inspiring figure for both her contemporaries and aspiring artists.
