Nicola Hooper is a Logan-based artist and printmaker. Her practice studies the intersection between animal and human experiences. This interest particularly focuses on the concept of “Zoonoses,” defined as illnesses that can afflict both humans and animals. Influenced by her childhood experience of diabetes and taking pork insulin, her practice investigates the ability for animals to make us more sympathetic towards fellow humans.

The 2019 hand-coloured lithograph, ‘Love Potion’ pictures a teapot with a cat’s face pouring tea for two mice standing expectantly beneath it. At this fantastical tea party, Hooper solely hosts animals, showing the mice at ease amongst tea cups and platters. Hooper encourages her audience to interpret this story freely, adding a signature touch of playfulness to her take on a fairy tale scene. This print is rife with detail, carefully produced through a combination of hand-colouring and lithograph printing.

Hooper has a Doctorate in Visual Arts and has been the recipient of several awards throughout her career. Some notable career highlights include being a finalist in the 2024 Hadley’s Art Prize, 2023 Burnie Print Prize, 2024 & 2023 Brisbane Portrait Prize. Hooper’s work features in several private and public collections, such as the Gosford Regional Gallery, Home of the Arts (HOTA) and Logan Art Gallery.

For lovers of whimsical imagery, Hooper’s ‘Love Potion’ is a captivating find.

Nicola HOOPER
'Love Potion' 2019
hand-coloured lithograph on paper
Image Size: 50 x 36 cm
Dimensions: 74 x 60 x 5 cm
Signed: Signed 'NH', dated, editioned and titled lower right corner.

Comes with Letter of Provenance

Condition: Excellent:

(c) The Artist or Assignee