ALEXANDER JAMES HAMILTON UK, b. 1967
Alexander James Hamilton explores the mechanics of water as a primary medium for three decades through a studio and location based practice. Works are documented underwater on analogue cameras without the use of post production. The Distil Ennui Studio was formed by the artist in 1990. Since 2013 all prints released are unique with no editions ever to be released.
Introductory text on Alexander James Hamilton, by Andrei Tolstoy:
'Artist Alexander James Hamilton creates meticulously crafted sculptural scenes; using studio made props, breeding butterflies, growing period specific flowers, hand making the dress and 24 carat gold halo for his Ophelia in 'Witness', 2012 from 'A beautiful announcement of death'; endeavours that imbue a harmonious dialogue with his subject that is ultimately to be encased within a vast underwater landscape. He does this solely for one purpose, that of documenting the realisation on a single 8 * 10 inch analogue camera plate.
These photographic plates are the only existing record of a far bigger conceptual process that is produced through his complete dedication to a renaissance studio practice. Perhaps in an effort to exercise a form of control; to relive its tragic baroque beauty. To preserve its memory, from ever being able to fade away.
The introduction of water serves its purpose both symbolically and as the functional device through which to achieve the painterly execution of these works; with the interaction of brushes and the artists bare hands on the surface tension of the water, literally painting the subject in light; the results of which are aching with the dramatic radiance of Caravaggio.
Working with analogue camera equipment and without post production, his life long dedication to in-camera purity establishes it's provenance when linked to painstaking preparatory work. '
- Andrei Tolstoy, (née. Leo Tolstoy), 1956-2016. Professor of Arts, Russian Academy of Arts & President AICA Russia, May 2014.
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Open Views
14 Jan - 29 Feb 2020Dellasposa Gallery is delighted to present works by modern and contemporary artists Ehryn Torrell, Tahnee Lonsdale, Alicia Paz, James Rawson, Alexander James Hamilton, Nicholas Hughes, and Patrick Heron.Read more -
Dellasposa x Home House
14 Aug 2019 - 29 Feb 2020Dellasposa Gallery is delighted to announce our new exhibition at Home House, London, 20 Portman Square. Presenting works by Alexander James Hamilton, Darren Coffield, Ehryn Torrell, Alicia Paz, and Tahnee...Read more -
Visions from the Shoreline
30 May - 28 Jun 2019Visions from the Shoreline is an open-air exhibition of monumental-scale photographic works by Alexander James Hamilton. Set amidst stunning roof gardens looking across the iconic skyline of London's Canary Wharf, this site-specific art installation serves as a timely and poetic testament to the vitality of our natural world, and it's significance in our cultural life.Read more
The works of art on display are inspired by the Hamilton's experience looking out to sea. While he sees beauty and rapture by the shore, he sees where pollution intrudes and a destructive force in its roar. Visions from the Shoreline is an ode to our disappearing world and a catalyst for a bold artistic intervention that addresses the impact of industrialisation and pollution to our oceanic environment. -
Site Unseen
31 Oct 2018 - 22 Jan 2019Dellasposa is delighted to present the inaugural exhibition Site Unseen, a curated presentation of contemporary artists and modern masters. The exhibition has been selected with care to showcase both the range and the scope of the gallery – from established names of the 20th century to radical younger figures from the 21st century.Read more
Over a period of weeks, Site Unseen will transform the gallery into a series of evocative displays blending works by eight artists working in the medium of painting, photography, sculpture, and printmaking. Exhibited artists include contemporary artists Alexander James Hamilton, Darren Coffield, Gail Olding, Guy Haddon Grant, Isabella Watling, Rad Husak, Sabatino Cersosimo, and Tahnee Lonsdale. -
Summer Series
Group Exhibition 16 Jul - 31 Aug 2018Dellasposa gallery presents a summer series including contemporary artists Alexander James Hamilton, Darren Coffield, and Rad Husak. This group exhibition continues to explore the gallery’s focus on contemporary photography, and printmaking through the lens of art history.Read more -
Visions From The Shoreline
Alexander James Hamilton 14 May - 10 Jun 2018Dellasposa is honoured to present ‘Visions from the Shoreline’, with new series of unique works by international artist Alexander James. The exhibition serves as a timely and poetic testament to...Read more -
Death of The Dream
Alexander James Hamilton 4 - 17 Sep 2017Dellasposa is proud to announce the highly anticipated exhibition Death of the Dream. The work by distinguished British contemporary artist Alexander James will be unveiled by Dellasposa Fine Art, in...Read more -
Ars Moriendi
Gail Olding and Alexander James Hamilton 10 - 30 May 2017Dellasposa is delighted to present 'Ars Moriendi', the first exhibition at the gallery by Alexander James and Gail Olding. The exhibition delves into the art of dying and our fascination...Read more