The Perimeter is set to present "This Glass House," British painter Lewis Hammond's first public exhibition in the UK, running from September 13 to December 20, 2024. The exhibition showcases Hammond's distinctive blend of baroque and surrealist elements that transform interpersonal relationships and global political events into fantastical visual narratives.
Untitled (Nymph & Satyr), 2024, Lewis Hammond, Photography: Joanna Wilk.
Courtesy the Artist, Kunstpalais, Erlangen, DE, and Arcadia Missa, London.
Hammond's paintings exist in a liminal space between reality and imagination, capturing fleeting memories and dreamlike states through a lens inspired by both Baroque and Surrealist movements. His work frequently depicts half-human creatures inhabiting dark architectural spaces, exploring themes of corporeality, stasis, and contemplation while navigating the delicate balance between existential dread and human comfort.
The exhibition, which travels to The Perimeter from the Kunstpalais in Erlangen, Germany, features several new works not previously shown. Hammond's pieces are characterized by their discordant union of dark and earthy tones, rendering unsettling and statuesque figures that echo the artistic conventions established by masters such as Caravaggio, Velázquez, and Goya.
Adding a unique dimension to the exhibition, British musician Darren J. Cunningham (aka Actress) has created a complementary soundscape. Cunningham, one of the UK's preeminent electronic musicians, draws from diverse influences including 1980s funk, electro, house, and noise to create a disorienting audio environment that enhances the captivating and unsettling nature of Hammond's works.
Insomnis, 2024, Lewish Hammond, Photography: Joanna Wilk.
Courtesy the Artist, Kunstpalais, Erlangen, DE, and Arcadia Missa, London.
Untitled (Siren),2024, Lewis Hammond, Photography: Joanna Wilk.
Courtesy the Artist, Kunstpalais, Erlangen, DE, and Arcadia Missa, London.
Berlin-based Hammond, who graduated from the Royal Academy Schools in 2017, has gained international recognition through exhibitions in Brazil, Estonia, Denmark, Italy, Mexico, Japan, China, and Switzerland. His work demonstrates a masterful exploration of oil paint's materiality, which he became enamored with during his studies.
The artist describes his paintings as "sideways reflections/representations of the complexities of lived experience – insecurity, anxiety, and the alarming socio-political landscape." This approach creates works that encourage ritual and mythology while remaining deeply rooted in contemporary experience.
Lewis Hammond: This Glass House
Dates: September 13 – December 20, 2024
Venue: The Perimeter, Bloomsbury, London
Admission: Free, booking required via www.perimeter.co.uk/visit
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