Arthur Hammer

"BIRSCH TREES IN THE MOONLIGHT"

OIL ON CANVAS, SIGNED

C.1980S

40 X 30 INCHES

"LA PRINCESA"

OIL ON CANVAS, SIGNED

DATED 2005

68 X 34 INCHES

"GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS"

SELF PORTRAIT

OIL ON CANVAS, SIGNED

DATED 1985

56 X 48 INCHES

"CACTUS SHELL AND FIGURE"

OIL ON CANVAS, SIGNED

DATED 2001

24 X 22 INCHES

"FLOWERING CACTUS AND SHELL"

OIL ONN CANVAS, SIGNED

DATED 2001

24 X 22 INCHES

Arthur Hammer

1932-2012

Hammer was a self taught artist, who was strongly influenced by the works of Marsden Hartley; portrait artist, Alice Neel; and German Expressionist, Max Beckmann. Although originally from Cleveland, he was a 40 year resident of Long

Island City in Queens, New York.

Although self taught, Arthur Hammer made a living as an artist, and commanded strong prices for his works. In the last 7 years of his life he exclusively supported himself through the sales of his paintings. He had a very eclectic, and loyal following of patrons whom he would regale with stories of his life, past and present.

Arthur Hammer began his life as an actor, and moved to NYC from Cleveland, Ohio at the age of 18 to take acting classes. He had some success in small parts on soap operas, sitcoms, made-for-TV movies, and commercials. His biggest success as an actor came in 1979, at the Winter Garden Theater, where he played a supporting role in the play Zoot Suit.

He picked up his first brush in 1961, at the age of 29. Even while he was acting, he continued to paint. In the late 1960’s, while living in Greenwich Village, he also began to build chess sets from industrial parts. His set appears in a book published by the Museum of Modern Art by F. Lanier, entitled Chess Sets. One set remains in existence, with his daughter Deirdre Hammer. His first one-man show came in 1963 at The Gallery of Four Walls.

In the mid 80’s Arthur Hammer gave up his acting career to devote himself exclusively to the pursuit of art. He continued to paint on a daily basis. In the mid 90s, after working for several art dealers, and learning the “art of selling art”, he opened his own gallery on west 26th Street, where he concentrated on selling the works of the WPA, as well as the works of Leon Bibel after acquiring works through Bibel’s estate.

After spending many years successfully selling the work of other artists, in 2005 Arthur Hammer closed his gallery on west 26th Street, and devoted himself to painting everyday and selling his own works, which sustained him through 2012 when he passed away after fighting prostate cancer for almost 20 years.

His favorite thing to paint were portraits. He was known amongst his piers as "the poor man's Alice Neel". At the time of his passing, over 80 portraits of friends and patrons were part of his estate. Portraits as a general rule are the hardest paintings for an artist to sell, unless they are commissioned, his were not.

Since his passing in 2012, several paintings have been acquired by five museums.

In 2013, the Queens Museum of Art, in Flushing, Queens acquired two if his Queens inspired works entitled "Along the #7 Line”, and one of four versions of "Domino Sugar Factory”, in Brooklyn, NY.

In 2014, four of the artists paintings were acquired by the American Museum of Visionary Art. It is the largest museum dedicated to self-taught artists, and is located near the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, MD.

In 2015, one of his paintings, “El Martillo”, which was appraised at $12,000, became the featured painting of the museums Big Hope show. Also acquired by AMVA were "Louisa Conchetta", "Johnny in an Antique Chair", and a "Self-Portrait of the Artist in Blue”.

In 2016, four of his paintings were acquired by The Leslie Lohman

Museum in New York City. These paintings included the portraits "Jack and Harvey", "Johnny in Gray", "Andrew", and "Costa". In March 2017, the Leslie Lohman Museum opened a new building and had a 50 year retrospective of the museum and it's history. In that show, the painting of "Jack & Harvey" was prominently featured, and is currently published in the book entitled Queer Holdings, pp.222.

In 2017, The Georgia Museum of Art, 2017, acquired his painting, "Domino Dark", part of a series of paintings based on the Brooklyn Domino sugar factory.

Lastly, one painting during the artist’s lifetime, was acquired by The Berkshire Museumin Pittsfield, MA, entitled “Bash Bish Falls”.

During his lifetime, Arthur Hammer sold hundreds of paintings to friends, and loyal patrons. Many of his patrons acquired several of his paintings throughout the years, and now boast of their own Arthur Hammer collections. His clients have included, doctors, and lawyers, and musicians, such as Sting (Perplexity of a Monkey), as well as those in the movie industry, such as the executive producer of the X files, Bob Goodwin, and his wife Shelia, who were good friends of the artist.

Arthur Hammer was passionate about life and passionate about art. His sprit, and his zest for life are strongly reflected in his work. In 2018, he was invited to have his ashes interred at the historic Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, NY, and they are in possession of two of his paintings, “Self Portrait of the Artist in Black Robe”, and “Backyard at Night”.

RECOGNITIONS & AWARDS:

2018 Two paintings acquired by GreenWood Cemetery, where he is

interred.

2017 One painting acquired for permanent collection of:

The Georgia Museum of Art

2016 Four paintings acquired for permeant collection of:

The Leslie Lohman Gay and Lesbian Museum

2014 Four paintings acquired for permanent collection of:

The American Visionary Art Museum

2013 Two paintings acquired for permanent collection of:

The Queens Museum of Art

2009 One painting acquired by The Berkshire Museum, MA

2008 Recipient of Pollock /Krasner Grant

EXHIBITIONS:

2015 “El Martillo” featured paining for the opening of The Big Hope Show: The American Visionary Art Museum

2015 “Painted Cities” Group Show Carries Haddad Gallery, Hudson, NY

2014 Acquisition of four paintings by the American Visionary Art Museum : El Martillo; Self Portrait in Blue; Johnny, Arms Crossed; Conchetta Louise

2013 Acquisition of two paintings: Along the #7 Line and Domino Sugar Factory by the Queens Museum of Art, Flushing, NY

2013 Three paintings successfully auctioned at the Rachel Davis Fine Arts Company, in Cleveland, Ohio: Blue Pinecone; Cati; Harte & Company

2011 “Figures and Abstractions” Solo Show The Carrie Haddad Gallery,

Hudson, NY

“Cohoes Artist Showcase” Group Show, Cohoes, NY

“Eccentric Portraits” Group Show Byrdcliffe Gallery, Woodstock, NY

“Arthur Hammer Paintings” Solo Show Jeffrey Leder Gallery LIC, NY

2010 “Painted Cities” Group Show Carries Haddad Gallery, Hudson, NY

2009 Acquisition of one painting by the Berkshire Museum: Bash Bish Falls

2008 Recipient of the Pollack/Krasner award

Ongoing works on exhibit at the Art.o.Mat Long Island City, NY

2007 "Urbanism: New York City “ The Painting Center, NY, NY

“Arthur Hammer” Judi Kupermann Fine Arts NY, NY

"Paintings by Arthur Hammer" Brian Hannon Gallery NY, NY

"Semblance and Spirit”, Woodstock Artist Association, Woodstock, NY

“City and the Sea” Woodstock Artists Assoc. + Museum, Bank of America “oThErs” Art Show, The Pier Show, NYC, Nov 17/18, 2007

2006 "Arthur Hammer, Recent Paintings", The Lascano Gallery, Great Barrington, MA

"Recuerdos, " Flushing Town Hall, Flushing, NY

"Arthur Hammer: A Restless Nature " Art-o-Mat, Long Island City, NY

" Arthur Hammer Paintings" Patrick Orbe Fine Arts Closter NJ

"Paintings by Arthur Hammer" Brian Hannon Gallery NY, NY

2005 “Arthur Hammer Paintings” The Writers Room, Doylestown, PA

"The Power of Place " The Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield, MA

“Arthur Hammer” Judi Kupermann Fine Arts Easthampton, NY

"Paintings by Arthur Hammer" Brian Hannon Gallery NY, NY

“Paintings and Sculptures” Haddad Lascano Gallery, Great Barrington,

2004 "The Painted City " Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson, NY

2003 “What’s Around Us” Sheppard Art Gallery, Ellicott City, MD

2002 “A Visual Feast” Sheppard Art Gallery, Ellicott City, MD

1989 "Arthur Hammer Recent Works” Gianetta Gallery, Philadelphia , PA

1989 "Paintings by Arthur Hammer”, Marie Pellicone Gallery, NY, NY

1988 “Arthur Hammer”, Catherine DesJardins Gallery, NY, NY

1987 "Paintings by Arthur Hammer, Marie Pellicone Gallery, South Hampton, NY

1986 "Paintings by Arthur Hammer, Marie Pellicone Gallery, NY, NY

1967 “Chess Sets”, The Museum of Modern Art NY, NY

(His “Industrial Chess Set” appears in F. Lanier’s 1969 book entitled Chess Sets)

1963 “Oil Paintings by Arthur Hammer” Gallery of Four Walls and one Hall,

Brian Hall Gallery, NY, NY

PUBLICATIONS:

2019 “Queer Holdings”, A survey of the Leslie-Lohman Museum Collection: painting of Jack & Harvey, pp.222

2012 “LIC Courier”, Losing A Great One; LIC Says Goodbye to a Renowned Artist

2006 “Queens Chronicle”, Hunters Point Painter Reflects On His Lifelong Journey

1967 “Chess Sets “ picture of Painted nuts & bolts, by F. Lanier Graham

Education:

1955-1957 Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio

1950-1952 American Academy of Dramatic Arts