Thomas Hammer, born in 1985 and raised in Ithaca, New York, is a renowned artist known for his captivating ink works on paper. After completing his BS at Cornell University, he began his career as an interaction designer in New York City before focusing entirely on his art.
Hammer's unique approach to creating his ink paintings involves a physical process that requires a degree of performance. By using a custom tool that combines a squeegee and a brush, he creates a diverse range of textures, from smooth and flowing to staccato and rhythmic. His brushwork involves gestures that activate the body, creating a dance-like rhythm that balances spontaneity and control.
He draws inspiration from post-war action painting, but his work employs a unique vocabulary of mark-making, giving his art a distinctive edge. Hammer titles his artworks after extinct plants, evoking a moment in time that can never be revisited. His abstract works address the complexities of contemporary life, with calligraphic elements that reference a more cosmopolitan and inclusive art world.
He says of his work, “I aim to create emotionally impactful works that explore the relationship between human activity and our natural surroundings. Though non-representational, my works are inspired by photography—particularly images of vast landscapes, outer space, and major meteorological events. My work alternates from organic and spontaneous to strictly linear, minimal and mechanical. I aim to balance these forces to create work that is chaotic, but still controlled. To me, a successful piece is viewed as a window to an imagined space rather than as a physical object.”
Hammer's artwork has been featured in Architectural Digest, CoEval Magazine, and Lines Magazine, and has been exhibited internationally and acquired by collectors around the world.
