Philip Hammial and creature comforts

As mentioned in a recent post, Creature Comforts is the latest exhibition by Philip Hammial (closing today at the Orange Regional Gallery). I visited the show yesterday, and was blown away by the vitality and abundance of the works. Here’s a view of part of the jostling exuberance on both walls and floor.

These works for me are what outsider art is about. I quickly and deeply connected with the strange creatures before me, and through this to the artist and his interests. I came away feeling empathy for these creatures – and felt they had evoked a reaction from deep layers of my psyche. Here were fellow travellers, intimates… Below is The Capitalist:

Evidently Hammial works in a state of trance in his art making, and this may be a significant factor in the energy of the works. Here (left to right) are Juan, Hollow Man and Jean Claude:

And here (left to right) Tiger Hunter, Purse Snatcher and Isadora:

And (almost) finally, Omar and Ivan:

I look forward to when I can collect Snowman, a purchase I made at the show. Finally, here’s Escape from chain gang, Guardian angel (detail) and Prince Tut:

Tagged as: Art, Outsiders, Philip Hammial