One of the key elements in Max Hammond’s upcoming solo exhibition at Bonner David Art Boutique in New York City is transitions. “The way one color form moves into the next shape. Is it abrupt or smooth, intense or gray? I’m using transitions for the titles in a perhaps whimsical way. Like ‘climbing a hill’ or ‘wading a stream.’ Wading a stream is transitioning from one bank to another. Once you begin chewing on an idea you find it everywhere,” says Hammond. “After a year of learning to wear a mask constantly, I go to a restaurant last week and not even the hostess or wait staff are wearing masks. I’m not making a judgement call, but it’s a big transition all of a sudden.”
flutterby; flying to somewhere, oil on canvas, 60 x 72"
He continues, “Yesterday, I’m reading a book where the protagonist enters a building that has ‘omnia mutantur’ engraved over the door. I had to look it up but was surprised to see it meant ‘everything changes.’ I like the Roman god Janus, the god of beginnings and endings, doorways and openings, of past and future. Isn’t the doorway a great metaphor for change? From inside to outside, or outside to inside, such a change of state or position.”
These states of change find themselves growing intuitively on the canvases as Hammond paints. Jumping right into brush on canvas with little preparation and lots of paint, he sees work evolve and build as he paints. “I’m completely inept at planning. After the early layers dry, I’ll apply a series of transparent glazes and then go back to thicker paint looking for subtleties and getting all of the little bits and pieces to work together,” Hammond says. “It’s at this point that I focus on the transitions between shapes.”
climbing a hill, oil on canvas, 48 x 60"
Around 10 paintings will be on view in the show, and they tend to be vibrant and colorful, such as flutterby; flying to somewhere. Hammond is deeply influenced by the abstract expressionists and finds his works are about the beauty of the paint and the basic elements of space, color, shape, form, texture and line. These are the fundamentals that allow someone to get up close to the work and look at one area at a time.
tying the knot, oil on canvas, 40 x 60"
“Max Hammond’s work is at once deeply personal and utterly universal,” says the gallery. “His precise designs lead viewers to contemplate their inner selves while exploring color harmony and luminous beauty. Hammond indeed provides viewers with ample room for interpretation, meaning and imagination. Each one of his paintings is a first-class puzzle of luscious palettes and intricate designs that will draw viewers over and over.”
The exhibition will be on view July 1 to 17 with a reception on opening night from 6 to 9 p.m. Hammond will be in attendance. —
Bonner David Art Boutique
22 E. 81st Street #1 • New York, NY 10028
(929) 226-7800 • www.bonnerdavid.com
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