In a remarkable discovery, Matthew Higgs, an art curator and gallerist, has identified an 88-year-old woman named Christine Hazell who had never created art before. The breakthrough happened six months ago when Hazell's daughter Gaby suggested she try drawing family photos with colored pencils. Since then, the elderly artist has produced over 200 drawings, capturing the faces of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even their pets.
What began as a casual activity turned into a creative passion that has taken Hazell to Instagram stardom. Her mother's art has been met with rave reviews from notable figures such as Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic Jerry Saltz and British artist Tracey Emin, who wrote: "Something so good going on here, and shows it's never too late." The viral sensation has inspired collaborations with UK gallerists, including Partisan, a restaurant and exhibition space owned by Florencia Clifford and Hugo Hildyard.
Hazell's artistic process is characterized by her unique style and perspective. She chooses which elements to include or exclude from the original photos, often distorting them in fascinating ways. For instance, she described one drawing of a cat as "like a nightmare," revealing her ability to imbue subjects with different faces.
Higgs' enthusiasm for Hazell's art stems from his recognition that creativity can emerge at any age. He believes that providing the time, encouragement, and resources necessary for artistic expression can lead to remarkable outcomes. As he observes his mother's progress, Higgs notes that she has become more confident and certain in her editing process, demonstrating an accelerated ability to visualize and create.
The impact of Hazell's art is not limited to her online presence; it will also be featured in scheduled exhibitions at esteemed institutions such as Studio Voltaire in London and the Blacksmith's Shop in East Yorkshire. Mark Ibson, the owner-curator of the latter gallery, praises Hazell's work, stating that it meets his criteria for outsider art, showcasing purity and lack of commercial motivation.
As Higgs observes his mother's artistic journey, he finds it "amazing" that someone's ability to visualize can accelerate so quickly. With over 65,000 followers on Instagram, Hazell's story has resonated with a global audience, inspiring hope and creativity in all ages.
What began as a casual activity turned into a creative passion that has taken Hazell to Instagram stardom. Her mother's art has been met with rave reviews from notable figures such as Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic Jerry Saltz and British artist Tracey Emin, who wrote: "Something so good going on here, and shows it's never too late." The viral sensation has inspired collaborations with UK gallerists, including Partisan, a restaurant and exhibition space owned by Florencia Clifford and Hugo Hildyard.
Hazell's artistic process is characterized by her unique style and perspective. She chooses which elements to include or exclude from the original photos, often distorting them in fascinating ways. For instance, she described one drawing of a cat as "like a nightmare," revealing her ability to imbue subjects with different faces.
Higgs' enthusiasm for Hazell's art stems from his recognition that creativity can emerge at any age. He believes that providing the time, encouragement, and resources necessary for artistic expression can lead to remarkable outcomes. As he observes his mother's progress, Higgs notes that she has become more confident and certain in her editing process, demonstrating an accelerated ability to visualize and create.
The impact of Hazell's art is not limited to her online presence; it will also be featured in scheduled exhibitions at esteemed institutions such as Studio Voltaire in London and the Blacksmith's Shop in East Yorkshire. Mark Ibson, the owner-curator of the latter gallery, praises Hazell's work, stating that it meets his criteria for outsider art, showcasing purity and lack of commercial motivation.
As Higgs observes his mother's artistic journey, he finds it "amazing" that someone's ability to visualize can accelerate so quickly. With over 65,000 followers on Instagram, Hazell's story has resonated with a global audience, inspiring hope and creativity in all ages.
that daughter Gaby was like "hey mom try drawing" and it just takes off like that... i mean, i'm happy for her and all but i need a little more context you know? maybe there's some hidden agenda behind this whole thing 
! I mean, who knew your grandma could create something as amazing as that? 
88 years young and still got it going on. I was thinking the other day about my own grandma's cooking, she's always been a bit of a disaster in the kitchen, but now that I'm older I see her dishes are actually pretty great. Maybe there's more to life than we think, right? 
It's like she's tapped into this whole new level of creative energy at 88 years old. I love how her daughter just handed her colored pencils and said "try drawing" and now they're killing it on Instagram 
. And can we talk about the collabs with these big-time artists? 
It's like, what even is time when creativity is involved? 
The more I read about her process, the more I'm convinced that age is just a number for talent. She's got this unique style and perspective that's all her own, and it's beautiful 
. I reckon this story will inspire so many people to find their own creative voice, no matter how old they are 
.
I mean, Christine Hazell goes from nvr creating art 2 makin like, over 200 drawings of her fam & pets! 
I'm so down with Matthew Higgs 4 discovering her talent tho. He's all about encouragin people 2 explore their creativity @ any age! 
It just goes 2 show u that it's never too late 2 try somethin new & discover urself. Hazell's art process is so unique & I love how she distorts the pics 2 make 'em look like a nightmare 
I'm not surprised by this discovery, to be honest. There are so many people out there who are just waiting for the right spark or support to unleash their creative side. It's amazing how something as simple as colored pencils can become a catalyst for art. And it's great that Matthew Higgs is behind her story - his enthusiasm and recognition of her talent are what really pushed this into the spotlight. Now, let's see if she can keep up with all those exhibitions...
. it's like, the more i read about this, the more i'm in awe - she doesn't even see the people in her pictures as they are, she distorts them into these crazy amazing faces 
. i love that her art is being featured in real galleries now too 
. it's a reminder to us all that life is never over, there's always time for creativity and self-expression 
. Mark my words, this "viral sensation" will be forgotten in 6 months when the next hot thing comes along 
.
. She's living proof that age is just a number and you're never too old to try something new 
.
That's just amazing. It goes to show that you're never too old to discover your creative side. And can we talk about how she's going from casual drawing with colored pencils to being an Instagram star? 
florencia clayton is my new idol, lol. i love how matty higgs is embracing his mom's creative journey, it's so inspiring to see people of any age finding their passion 
The fact that she's gained so much attention online and now has exhibitions lined up is amazing... but what I think is even more inspiring is the impact it's had on people's lives - inspiring hope and creativity in all ages 
! I guess that's what happens when you find your passion, right? 
. Maybe we can all learn a thing or two from Christine Hazell and Matthew Higgs about finding your passion at any age 
. Anyway, I'm totally rooting for her and can't wait to see what she comes up with next 
. And the fact that it's inspired collaborations with top gallerists is just the icing on the cake 
. I love that Matthew Higgs recognizes the importance of providing encouragement and resources for artistic expression - it's so true that creativity can emerge at any age!