“The places we go when we’re young are like footprints that fade in the sun.”

“The places we go when we’re young are like footprints that fade in the sun.” Acrylic on canvas 90cm x 90cm

This was a really emotional painting for me, I don’t have many memories from my childhood; perhaps 20 at a stretch. But I do remember us going to the seaside as a family before Jon got ill and died and just being happy exploring Britain’s biggest joke shop, eating doughnuts, the time we walked from Heacham to Hunstanton. It was one of the last things I can remember that wasn’t tainted by sadness or persistent underlying grief. I think it’s why I find the sea so calming now.
There’s a certain charm to a British seaside town, like nothing else, a little worn out and over loved, always a little faded, always peeling, often raining; they’re like an old worn out arm chair that’s threadbare with the stuffing falling out from generations of love and memories that you wouldn’t want to reupholster even if you could.

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Warren Hance is a painter hailing from the UK, whose work is deeply influenced by his tumultuous upbringing. Growing up surging the breadline on a British housing estate, Warren's childhood was marked by death, crime, and the harsh realities of life. These experiences, coupled with his journey through extreme emotional landscapes—grief, depression, anxiety, loneliness, and abandonment—infuse his art with raw, authentic power.

Through his paintings, Warren explores the rollercoaster of human emotions, often reflecting on the facades people maintain, such as hiding behind partying and other escapes. His personal battles, including overcoming suicide attempts, violence, and life's many challenges, are vividly expressed in his work. Warren's art aims to connect with others enduring similar hardships, offering a sense of shared experience and understanding.

Warren Hance's work is not just a reflection of his past but a beacon of resilience and hope, inviting viewers to find solace and solidarity in the face of adversity.