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New York or Bust

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Hammond "Five Backward"



Beginning August 10th, Rehs Contemporary will present New York Or Bust, an online-only exhibition of works by abstract artist Hammond. On digital display will be more than 30, spanning from 2015 through today, demonstrating the array of styles and color palates he utilizes. More notably, the collective of works embody the life experiences and thoughts of the artist, chronicling everything from love to politics to religion… as Hammond sees it, “I believe it is one of my responsibilities to use my talents as a tool to communicate my opinions, ideas and concerns.”

Hailing from the historic Hudson Valley of New York, Hammond was introduced to the arts from a young age. It was not until he was in his mid-30s when he shifted to this current abstract expressionist genre, working more from his subconscious. Ultimately for Hammond, the artwork serves two purposes… it is a conduit for the unexplainable, allowing him to examine his feelings in a deep and sincere way. At the same time, it helps manage the turbulence of life through the process of creation; a process fully within his control, when surrounded by a world of seeming chaos which is very much out of his control.

Works like Fluffy Bunnies and Toxic, for example, take on this role of resolve in uncertainty… Fluffy Bunnies explores political concerns regarding authoritarian rule, with hidden symbols and gestures throughout the canvas. The title itself serves as part of the artwork, in the sense of distracting. It forces the viewer to look for what they are being told they are looking at, rather than seeing what is right in front of their face. Toxic delves into mental health and self-worth; the artist investigates his physical and emotional surroundings, using linework to mimic geographic markers and invoke the idea of certain objects. Hammond sees it as a reactionary piece recounting the effects of those surrounding him, particularly ones that have not always been positive. As he states, “titles are an important aspect of my work. They alone dictate if I try to control what is seen through suggestion or allow a piece to be open to interpretation.”

The creative process for Hammond is not always direct. Oftentimes, works will sit incomplete in the studio for months or even years – but it allows for an evolution… in a sense, he feels his personal growth    is reflected in the progression of the work. Take for instance Deep Blue, which began in 2015 and evolved over more than two years… the development coinciding with various life events. The work emerged in 2017 as a cautionary tale – one focused on relationships with both friends and lovers, and the blurring of lines between the two.

While the final result of each canvas may not tell a happy story, there is something about the journey and the completed work that is fulfilling. For Hammond, “the connection to the piece, and the experience of making it, becomes the underlying fuel to do more.”

New York Or Bust showcasing the work of Hammond, will be featured on our website through September 7th, 2020; and will be available for viewing in person by appointment only.




1983 (ditpych) -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
1983 (ditpych)
30 x 80 inches
Signed

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Angels and Demons  -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
Angels and Demons
36 x 36 inches
Signed and dated 2017

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Beyond the Obvious -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
Beyond the Obvious
24 x 36 inches
Signed and dated 2017

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Court Jester -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
Court Jester
48 x 24 inches
Signed and dated 2015

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Death of a Dream -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
Death of a Dream
30 x 40 inches
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Dis Function All -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
Dis Function All
36 x 36 inches
Signed and dated 2017

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Fat Man and the Woman with the Big Hat -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
Fat Man and the Woman with the Big Hat
40 x 30 inches
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Five Backward -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
Five Backward
60 x 48 inches
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Five Forward -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
Five Forward
60 x 48 inches
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Front -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
Front
14 x 11 inches
Signed and dated 2017

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Frozen -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
Frozen
24 x 48 inches
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Hook, Line, and Sinker -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
Hook, Line, and Sinker
30 x 48 inches
Signed and dated 2016

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Id -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
Id
30 x 40 inches
Signed and dated 2017

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Imprint -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
Imprint
18 x 24 inches
Signed and dated 2017

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Jambalaya -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
Jambalaya
30 x 40 inches
Signed and dated 2017

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Lasso my Asso -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
Lasso my Asso
14 x 11 inches
Signed and dated 2017

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Let the Current Take Me if the Blue Grass Won\'t -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
Let the Current Take Me if the Blue Grass Won't
30 x 40 inches
Signed and dated 2018

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Life of Grime -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
Life of Grime
36 x 60 inches
Signed and dated 2017

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Media Monster -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
Media Monster
24 x 18 inches
Signed and dated 2017

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Palace of the Golden Dong -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
Palace of the Golden Dong
24 x 12 inches
Signed and dated 2018

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Red Scare -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
Red Scare
30 x 80 inches
Signed and dated 2017

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Scream and Shout (Diptych) -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
Scream and Shout (Diptych)
48 x 120 inches
Signed and dated 2016

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See Sin See -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
See Sin See
24 x 30 inches
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Take Five -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
Take Five
18 x 24 inches
Signed and dated 2017

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The Cat\'s Meow -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
The Cat's Meow
30 x 40 inches
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The Fall Guy -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
The Fall Guy
36 x 36 inches
Signed and dated 2017

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Tipping Point -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
Tipping Point
36 x 36 inches
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Uninhibited  -  Hammond
Hammond
(Born 1976)
Uninhibited
60 x 48 inches
Signed and dated 2017

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