Tallulah Hutson
About
“Everybody do the no hope generation, the new hip sensation craze sweeping the nation; gimme a bottle and a gun and I’ll show you how it’s done; and if you look real close, you’ll see it’s all a joke”
– No Hope Generation, Mura Masa
As a figurative oil painter, Tallulah Hutson is interested in deeply evocative, intimate moments that occur amidst the mundane. From the vulnerable glimpse of a man carrying flowers on public transport to the passionate, sweaty expression of a woman dancing as if unobserved by others, Hutson explores how individual figures’ can contain such strong feeling while being part of a wider physical and political world.
Hutson’s work ties back to her rigorous training, including the sight-size method of painting people from life. By drawing on a style of oil painting historically used to show scenes of spiritual significance or figures of societal esteem, Hutson strives to give common-place moments that contain so much of humanity a similar level of reverie. This is rooted in the idea that all people have potential for the profound. That we are vessels for the vast human experience – physical and spiritual – and can hold multitudes of truths and emotions in any one moment. This is particularly evident for Hutson when observing how people are moved by music.
Her ongoing series centres the release and elation people experience when surrendering to sound. She uses references to historic religious artworks to highlight the connections between contemporary interactions with music and timeless sensations of spiritual ecstasy. At the same time, much of the work remains ambiguous. Hutson’s fierce dancing figures could just as easily be screaming in distress as in delight. Hints of hellscape are used to allude to the times we find ourselves in. In a world that seems constantly in crisis, Tallulah Hutson asks if to dance in the face of disaster is an act of defiance or despair. The colour red is central to this series – evocative of club lights, late nights, passion and violence.
Tallulah Hutson’s work will be exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery from July 10th – October 12th 2025 as part of the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Award Exhibition. She has previously exhibited with the Bomb Factory Art Foundation, Greatorex Street and the RCA Hangar Gallery.
Content Warning
The content on this website may contain themes and materials that some users find distressing or offensive. Further, the content on this website may not be suitable for individuals under the age of 18. User discretion is advised.
Any views and opinions expressed in this student profile represent the views and opinions of the student and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Royal College of Art or its employees or affiliates. The appearance of any views or opinions on this page do not constitute endorsement of those views by the Royal College of Art. This student profile has been made available for informational purposes only. The Royal College of Art does not make any representations or warranties with regard to the accuracy of any information provided in this student profile, nor does it warrant the performance, effectiveness or applicability of any listed or linked sites. The Royal College of Art is not responsible for the content submitted by any user, or for the defamatory, offensive or illegal conduct of any user. If you wish to report any errors or inappropriate material that may cause offence, please email feedback@rca.ac.uk