Josie Hall’s debut exhibition reframes martial arts as a poetic exploration of control, rhythm, and perception.
Kendo as Discipline and Philosophy
Josie Hall presents Red Patience as her first solo exhibition at Have A Butchers gallery in London. The series explores kendo, the Japanese martial art known as the way of the sword, not only as combat practice but as a structure for everyday life. Through this lens, discipline, calm under pressure, responsibility, and respect become central ideas shaping both movement and mindset.
Fractured Movement and Visual Experimentation
Rather than straightforward documentation, Hall reshapes the visual language of kendo into something more abstract and atmospheric. Masked practitioners appear layered and shifted across large prints, creating a sense of suspended motion and altered time. Figures blur into themselves, suggesting tension between opponent and self. The series extends into a video work created with artist Mike Lamont and sound by Cheng Zhuang, focusing on rhythm, light, and controlled physical expression.
From Fashion Roots to Fine Art Expression
Hall’s background in fashion informs her attention to surface, form, and composition. Having worked alongside leading figures in photography and styling, she brings a refined visual sensitivity to her art practice. Her work has also appeared in major fashion campaigns, reflecting her ability to move between editorial, commercial, and fine art spaces while maintaining a consistent visual identity that balances clarity with ambiguity.
