Arthur Hammer
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Arthur Hammer | |
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| Born | 1932 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | 2012 |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | American Academy of Dramatic Arts (acting); largely self-taught as a painter |
| Known for | Figurative painting, portraiture |
| Movement | Figurative, Expressionist-influenced |
| Website | www |
Arthur Hammer (1932–2012) was an American figurative painter and actor whose work is noted for its expressive, psychological portraiture and bold use of color. Largely self-taught as a visual artist, Hammer worked in New York for more than five decades. His paintings are represented in the collections of several U.S. museums and cultural institutions, including the American Visionary Art Museum and the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art.[1]
Early life and education
Hammer was born in 1932 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Sophia (née Alperin) and Harry Hammer, Russian-American immigrants.[1] Drawn to the arts at an early age, he moved to New York City after high school to study acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, graduating in 1951. He later served in the United States Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean War.[1]
Acting career
In the 1970s and early 1980s, Hammer appeared as a character actor in television and stage productions, including the Broadway production of Zoot Suit at the Winter Garden Theatre in 1979.[2] He also made guest appearances in several television programs, including C.P.O. Sharkey, Ryan’s Hope, and Love, Sidney.[1]
Visual art career
Hammer began painting in 1960, initially experimenting with portraiture and abstract forms. His work blended figurative representation with expressionist color and gesture, drawing inspiration from artists such as Max Beckmann, Alice Neel, and Marsden Hartley.[1]
In 1963, he held his first solo exhibition at the Gallery of Four Walls in New York City. During the 1960s he also designed and produced handmade, industrial-style chess sets. One such set was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in 1967 and later published in F. Lanier Graham’s book Chess Sets (1968).[3]
From the 1980s onward, Hammer focused full-time on painting, supporting himself through various jobs, including cab driving and art handling. He lived and worked for over forty years in Long Island City, Queens, hosting informal salons and showing work in galleries throughout New York.[1]
Style and reception
Hammer’s paintings are characterized by psychological intensity, a direct engagement with the sitter, and a vibrant color palette. Critics and curators have compared his portraiture to mid-20th-century expressionist and realist traditions. His work has been described as “big, bold, colorful, and upbeat.”[1]
Museum acquisitions and collections
Hammer’s work is represented in the permanent collections of several institutions, including:
- American Visionary Art Museum — several works including El Martillo (gift of the estate).[4]
- Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art — portraits and figurative works.[1]
- Georgia Museum of Art — Domino Sugar series painting.[1]
- Queens Museum — works from the Domino Sugar series.[1]
- Berkshire Museum — landscape Bash Bish Falls.[1]
- Green-Wood Cemetery (Brooklyn) — works on permanent display.[1]
Selected exhibitions
- 1963 — Gallery of Four Walls, NYC[1]
- 1967 — Chess Sets (MoMA exhibition/publication)[1]
- 1986–1989 — Marie Pellicone Gallery, NYC and Southampton[1]
- 2011 — Figures and Abstractions, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson, NY[1]
- 2015 — The Big Hope Show, American Visionary Art Museum (El Martillo)[4]
Recognition
In 2008, Hammer received a grant from the Pollock-Krasner Foundation.[5]
Personal life
Hammer never remarried after an early separation. In his later years, he was known for his outgoing personality and for hosting art gatherings at his Queens studio-home. He also performed music in cabaret settings during retirement.[1]
Death
Hammer died in 2012 after a prolonged illness. His life and work have since been commemorated in memorial exhibitions and by the stewardship of his estate.[6]
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 "Arthur Hammer Artwork". Arthur Hammer Artwork. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
- ↑ "Zoot Suit Cast Listing". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
- ↑ Graham, F. Lanier (1968). Chess Sets. Museum of Modern Art.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Arthur Hammer – AVAM Artist Page". AVAM. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
- ↑ "Arthur Hammer". Pollock-Krasner Foundation. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
- ↑ "Legacy.com Obituary – Arthur Hammer". Legacy.com. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
External links
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