Artwork
#drawing
#flowers
#ink
#nature
#sculpture
#Valerie Hammond
#watercolor
“Deer with feathers” (2024), ink and watercolor on handmade indigo paper, 25.5 x 27 inches. All photos © Valerie Hammond, shared with permission
Based on Greek mythology, Daphne was the descendant of river gods. Born with a surging starvation for freedom and autonomy, the nymph dedicated herself to dwelling a life rooted in solitude as she poured herself into deep passions like nature and looking. Though Daphne devoted a substantial amount of time to exploring her tranquil environment, she finally discovered herself within the chaotic throes of unrequited love as Apollo desperately sought to grab her for himself. Someday, throughout a relentless pursuit during which Daphne was being chased by the Greek god, her solely escape was to name to her father for assist, who subsequently reworked her right into a laurel tree. Narratives much like this, symbolizing the adversity of self-preservation towards burdening pressures set forth by highly effective males, play a essential position in Valerie Hammond’s present solo exhibition titled Dreamers Awake.
Whereas Hammond’s latest works imbue acquainted themes of nature, spirituality, and strife, additionally they evolve from the artist’s ongoing curiosity in surrealism’s capacity to deal with patriarchal narratives. “I found creative potential in its exploration of the unconscious and the uncanny, and I admired its attempts to liberate social conventions from conformist structures,” Hammond explains within the exhibition textual content. “I was especially intrigued by women’s involvement in surrealism, and their unique images of sexuality, vulnerability, violence, and rage.”
A female determine with billowing texture emerges from an amalgamation of wasp nests, wooden, and paper in “Daphne 2,” alluding to the mythological story whereas emphasizing the inextricable parallels between female plight and the metamorphic traits of nature. “Laurel” fairly actually depicts the price of self-advocacy, portraying Daphne’s destiny as sprawling tree branches ascend from a pair of toes. Hammond’s ink items additional draw upon the dissolution of female our bodies, as inked silhouettes fade into landscapes behind them.
Dreamers Awake is on view at Pamela Salisbury Gallery in Hudson, New York till August 25. Control Hammond’s Instagram for extra updates and work.
Set up view of ‘Dreamers Awake’
“Daphne 2” (2024), paper, wasp nest, and wooden, 68 x 12.50 x 11 inches
“Laurel” (2023), hornets nest, paper and wooden, 65 x 30 x 24 inches
“Cat” (2024), ink and watercolor on handmade indigo paper, 18.5 x 25.5 inches
“Fox” (2024), ink and watercolor on handmade indigo paper, 2024, 18.5 x 25.5 inches
“Venus” (2024), paper, wasp nest, and wooden, 68 x 12.50 x 11 inches
Untitled, (2024), ink on Japanese paper, 72 x 39 inches
“Owlmoth III” (2024), ink and watercolor on handmade indigo dyed gampi paper, 18.5 x 25.5 inches
Untitled, (2024), ink and watercolor on Japanese indigo paper, 76 x 40 inches
Untitled, (2024), ink on Japanese paper, 72 x 39 inches
#drawing
#flowers
#ink
#nature
#sculpture
#Valerie Hammond
#watercolor
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