About
Cadence Hooks is a contemporary abstract figurative painter whose work explores the intersections of human connection, resilience, and the natural world. Born and raised New Yorker but now living between South Africa working between Cape Town and New York and Europe, Hooks combines expressive colors, geometric patterns, and organic forms to create paintings that are both emotionally evocative and intellectually grounded. Her background in anatomy and color theory informs the structural precision and chromatic depth of her compositions, which reflect the complexities of the human experience.
Exhibited internationally in cities such as Paris, New York, and Cape Town, Hooks’ work has earned recognition for its unique synthesis of artistic rigor and emotional depth. Her paintings serve as a space for healing and reflection, offering a compelling vision of the shared essence between humanity and nature
In her future series, Hooks draws inspiration from natural elements such as water and stone. The fluidity of water represents transformation and emotional flow, while the permanence of stone evokes stability and endurance. These motifs intertwine with her abstracted human forms, creating a dialogue between the body and the natural world. Her gestural lines and layered textures invite viewers to explore themes of fragility, strength, and interconnectedness, forging a deeply personal yet universal resonance.
Hooks' paintings are a testament to her ability to blend personal narrative with collective space, using abstract accumulations of color and thick brushstrokes to give voice to the canvas. Her works are dynamic and emotionally charged, creating a sense of movement and vibrancy that draws the viewer in and immerses them in the experience.
Hooks' paintings have been exhibited in galleries around the world, including Estudio Nomada, Art is Art Gallery, Double V Gallery, Dacia Gallery, and fairs including LA Frieze, Art is Art Africa, Scope Art Fair NYC, Art Basel.
In addition to her paintings, Hooks is also known for her large-scale immersive installations. One of her most notable installations is the bark walls of Arcadia Earth Museum, which was showcased in Vegas. The installation featured an array of geometrically cut bark puzzled into large-scale walls from the bark of trees creating a mesmerizing visual experience for viewers and raising awareness about environmental issues.
Hooks is also dedicated to using art as a means of promoting social change, and she has been involved in various community projects and fundraisers for environmental causes and organizations such as the Ellen Hermanson Foundation, An Evening of Hope Foundation, and Uganda Food Forest Fundraiser, Wildfire Silent Auction, Hearst Castle Silent Auction, Enchantment Gala.
