About | Olivia Hawk

Meet The Artist

Bio

Olivia Hawk is a ceramic artist and oil painter whose work delves into themes of femininity, touch, and skin. Raised in a small town in western Missouri, she has always been drawn to the taboo—concepts unspoken yet deeply felt. Through her education at the University of Central Missouri, where she is earning a degree in Art Education with a double emphasis in Ceramics and Painting, she has embraced these hidden subjects, using art as both expression and experimentation.

Her artistic approach shifts between disciplines but remains rooted in intimacy and the power of touch. Her paintings are raw and vulnerable, confronting the lasting impact of patriarchal small-town America on her life. Meanwhile, her ceramics capture delicate, fleeting moments—preserving the craftsmanship of inherited traditions, such as crochet, in clay.

Artist Statement

My work examines how my small-town upbringing has shaped my perception of femininity’s beauty and burdens. Through painting and ceramics, I explore the societal constructs that define and constrain women, using visual language to challenge and reclaim these narratives.

In my paintings, I confront the patriarchal gaze head-on and create a discussion about its impact on the perception of female nudity. Subjects of desire—once deemed taboo in my hometown—are amplified through bold displays of skin and sugar. I enjoy drawing parallels between women's bodies and dessert, to make literal the way women are consumed by the male gaze and media. Yet, in response to this commodification, my newest series shifts toward depictions of female bonds—moments of serenity, vulnerability, and joy shared between women. Still nude, still decadent, but free from the weight of objectification, these works emphasize companionship over consumption.

In my ceramics, I honor the traditionally feminine craft of crochet, elevating it beyond its utilitarian function. My large-scale installations transform this intimate, generational skill into something monumental—holding space for these works as testaments of artistry and devotion rather than mere domestic craft. I have noticed within my own familial relationship to crochet that women's creative labor is often dismissed as functional rather than celebrated for its time, skill, and beauty. By translating crochet into permanent ceramic forms and displaying them in a gallery setting, I place these women—and their craft—on a figurative and literal pedestal.

At its core, my work is a conversation about perception, value, and agency. Whether through paint or clay, I seek to challenge inherited narratives and create space for femininity that is seen, honored, and made powerful as it always has and should be.

CV/Artist Resume

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Oil painter and ceramicist, focusing on figurative and still-life work, exploring materiality and

intimacy through combined painted and sculptural forms. Experienced community ceramics

instructor with a commitment to fostering accessible creative spaces. Exhibited in Missouri

galleries, with a studio practice grounded in both craft and narrative.

EDUCATION

University of Central Missouri - B.S.E. Art Education, double emphasis in Painting and

Ceramics, Summa Cum Laude

Graduated: December 2025

EXHIBITIONS

Group Exhibitions:

Nevertheless She Persisted, Randy Bacon Studio and Gallery, Springfield, Missouri, October-December 2025. 1 work exhibited

Nevertheless She Persisted, Daum Museum of Contemporary Art, Sedalia, Missouri, May-September 2025. 2 works exhibited

University of Central Missouri President’s Gala, Kauffman Center, Kansas City, Missouri, April 2025.3 works exhibited

Solo Exhibitions:

Senior Show, University of Central Missouri’s Gallery of Art & Design, Warrensburg, Missouri - April

2025

PUBLICATIONS

Artwork Heavy is The Hand reproduced in SEVEN Magazine, Issue 2, 2026.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Community Ceramics Instructor

University of Central Missouri Ceramics, Warrensburg, Missouri - January 2024-December 2025

Taught students how to successfully throw forms on the wheel through a 10-week course
Developed a curriculum to build skills and learn specific vessel forms
Mentored students outside of class time for one-on-one guidance and studio maintenance
Maintained the studio through kiln rotations, regular cleaning, and scheduling

Artist Panelist

“Nevertheless She Persisted” Collective Daum Museum of Contemporary Art, Sedalia, Missouri - July 2025

Participated as one of five women artists of the collective, discussing themes of emininity, resilience, and lived experience in my artistic practice
Engaged with audience members and museum docents, responding to questions regarding my body of work, conceptual motivations, and professional trajectory
Connected with fellow women artists in the collective, fostering collaborative dialogue and exchanging insights into sustaining creative careers

Artist Talk for Figure Drawing Students

University of Central Missouri Gallery of Art & Design, Warrensburg, Missouri, April 2025

Presented an in-depth discussion on figurative painting and artist process
Answered students’ questions about technique, creative process, and inspiration
Shared personal experiences to provide insight into developing observational skills and studio practice
Discussed the importance of the gallery installation process and how it shapes viewer's experience

SKILLS

Painting in oil, painting figure and still life forms, meticulous attention to detail, multi-media art

career, wheel throwing, slip casting, studio maintenance, community-based teaching, lesson