Artist Statement

My work uses photography and sculpture to explore objectivity, time, and awe. Experimentation, materials, and research are key components of my practice.

I make work using photographic approaches including; cyanotype, darkroom photography, video, and inkjet printing. My work is focused on expanding the boundaries of the historical definition of the medium of photography. I am drawn to geologic forms, scale, and time-based work. Annie Dillard and Don McKay’s writing that connects landscape, science, and spirituality has deeply influenced my explorations of awe and the sublime. Other artist’s who I have affected my practice are Ana Mendieta, specifically Silueta and Rachel Whiteread, whose work has deeply influenced my current research into the spacial presence of snapshot photography.

Part of my recent body of work, Artist’s Shroud (2023) is a life size print of my supine body captured with photogrammetry, and printed on Belgian Linen. The process of photogrammetry produced a point cloud that lacked boundaries between my body and my environment - the result is an image made up of small grayscale circles against a black background. Artist’s Shroud was shortlisted for the NSCAD Student Art Award in 2023.

My current research continues my focus on objectivity and time, while looking closely at the indexicality of the photographic surface and the history of personal archives and snapshot photography.

Biography

Keely Hopkins is a visual artist based in Kjipuktuk (Halifax). Born in Sik Ooh Kotoki (Lethbridge), Alberta on Treaty 7 Territory, Hopkins completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2019 at the University of Lethbridge before pursuing visual art at NSCAD University. They graduated with a BFA in Photography and a minor in Art History in 2023.

Hopkins’ practice is built on a photographic foundation that incorporates sculpture and video. Highly experimental, they focus on material and a process-based approach to make work. Hopkins is interested in speaking directly to the historical link between science and photography to explore objectivity, interconnectivity, time, and awe.

Hopkins had their solo exhibition at the Anna Leonowens Gallery funded by the Roloff Beny Scholarship, and was shortlisted for the 2022 and 2023 NSCAD Student Art Award in the ‘Photography’ category.