Hamilton Gallery: How does it feel?

‘Night Lights’, by Paloma

When looking to purchase a piece of art , one can be impressed by the name and reputation of an artist or gallery. You may be swayed by elaborate descriptions and by what is ‘trending’. But , ultimately what drives many people to buy an artwork, is how it makes one feel. A certain piece will resonate with one person and not with another, sometimes for no define-able reason.

We have recently been intrigued by not only how an artwork feels by just looking at it – we are enjoying looking at artworks that we can literally feel ( if touching is allowed).

Textured art, art with layers, mixed media, tufting, and even 2D pieces that have a textured substrate, or are representations of textures – are what we are focussing on this month. It came it us in this process of looking for texture, that ‘smooth’ is also a form of texture.

Again, Paloma features as one of our favourites. Her 100% wool punch-needle works on linen, provide tactile satisfaction and interest.

Textured ceramic vessels, Kevin Hill (left), Paloma (right)

Kevin Hill’s rough and raw clay vessels are carefully built yet with an unrefined look and an untouched earthy feel.

Daniel Baéta uses thick oil paint applied boldly with a palette knife , creating a raised and luscious effect.

There are other examples, for instance , in Katherine Hamilton’s photographs , where textures are suggested or abstract , offering an idea of texture rather than it in its actual physical form.

‘Water Play 3’, by Katherine Hamilton

Wiehan de Jäger’s textures are found in his delicately placed layering of paper and mixed media collages, or his gold leaf illustration. The type of paper on which he prints is a deliberate and carefully considered. choice .

‘Coalesce’, by Wiehan de Jager and Clayton Sutherland

So, not only are we aiming to be more conscious of how an artwork makes us feel, this February, we are wanting to be mindful of how it would ‘feel’ if we were to touch each artwork’s interestingly textured surface- which is often irresistible and most likely not allowed !