JAMES HAWKE

Titled ‘Life in Transit’, this exhibition features the work of British contemporary artist James Hawke, whose interpretations of idealism and domestic life offer a fresh lens through which to view Genoa’s history and cultural heritage. At its core, Life in Transit reflects the significance of transit—not merely as the physical movement of people, but as the flow of trade, ideas, culture, and artistic expressions. Genoa’s prominence as a maritime republic was built on this foundation oftransit, with its bustling ports serving as conduits for the exchange of materials (alum particularly), ideas, and cultural knowledge. The artworks and architecture of Villa delle Peschiere, adorned with Greco-Roman frescos and architectural grandeur, are themselves products of this amalgamation - embodying the visual beauty of Mediterranean and European trade through stunning architecture, art and design.

Known for his bold, colourful reinterpretations of urban and domestic spaces, James Hawke brings a contemporary sensibility to Life in Transit.

His work reimagines domestic and communal settings, often beaches, infusing them with a sense of idealism that speaks to both the real and the aspirational. Famously known for his seaside interpretations, Hawke has responded to the maritime heritage, town beaches, and the architecture and frescos that are unique to Genoa and Villa delle Peschiere. Hawke’s pieces juxtapose the historical and the modern, echoing the villa’s own dual identity as a place of both historical reverence and living cultural relevance (trade industries and art duality). His vibrant palettes and layered compositions invite viewers to consider the ways in which transit shapes not only physical spaces but also collective memory and identity.