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Define Masculine (Two)Compressed charcoal on 160gsm cartridge paper.A1 - 84.1cm x 59.4cm (33.1 x 23.4 in)
A STYLE STUMBLING EXPLORATION OF MASCULINE IDEALS
On 18th February 2021 Sam Hamper opened this, his first exhibition, with a full body of work undertaken in late 2020 exploring masculinity. Importantly 'The Denied Masculine' is not uniquely about men, Hamper is not just on the hunt for a modernised ideal of the masculine to balance the feminine but also to counter the negative connotations increasingly dominating the concept. Hamper does not shy away from the dark side of unfettered masculine behaviour. Exploring how, in a process of cultural atonement, such areas are being highlighted and removed. Through a range of paintings, drawings and woodcuts Hamper examines masculine views of service, strength and sensitivity. As gender roles converge, and terms like masculinity and femininity are increasingly unlinked from sex, 'The Denied Masculine' suggests the need for men and women to seek the positive traits of both. To do this Hamper is turning over rocks and exploring murky waters looking to define a positive purpose for the masculine in the modern world.
“I became interested in masculinity talking to people who use the term “toxic masculinity”. On probing as to what ‘positive masculinity’ might look like I heard traits more traditionally associated with the feminine. This led me to wonder what positive masculine ideals we might be losing and why it was such a devisive a topic.”
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Sam Hamper in his studio. January 2021
"I’ve always had differing world-views around me. Someone's unhealthy suppression of emotions was another person's stoicism. One person's view of sacrificing themselves to serve was another's power play to oppress. It got me thinking about where such values come from, and that's when the ball started rolling. Painting helps me think and this show is me presenting that process. I hope you enjoy it." - Sam Hamper
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WHY PAINT ABOUT MASCULINITY
I'm curious what effect changing gender norms have on young people. How much of our expression of our gender is cultural and how much is biological. In ‘Boy with Super Soaker’ I painted a moment of youthful curiosity. A delicate almost awkward pose of a young boy with a toy gun. The boy is clearly drawn to the gun but what he thinks of it is unclear. Both the boy and the toy are harmless, yet the motivation behind his examination is what I wanted to focus on. He has no playmates, his posture is not traditionally masculine and the colour pallet is more feminine. Despite all this the boy remains fixed on his pretend weapon and a dark shadow dominates the frame.
“I don’t think any artist can say exactly what they’re doing. For me the best art is made just beyond what’s understood. It tells a story about something you feel is true but you can't explain why. In trying to paint about masculinity people may think that I have a strong opinion on it, something to say that's solid, the fact is haven't got a clue, I don't feel like I'm defending it or criticising it, I just don’t understand what's going on at the moment. That’s why I like painting about it.”
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WOODCUTS
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'Partners' & 'Targets' - Woodcut series
Two contrasting symbolic interpretations of yin & yang balance.“It's important to me when I say masculinity I don't necessarily mean male. Masculinity without a touch of the feminine is uncontrolled, as is the inverse. I know many women who, in temperament, are more masculine than me. It's more yin and yang but it should never be a war. Yet how we act is increasingly seen through this postmodern lens, where everything is about power. I think it's a cavalier world view as under which even yin and yang as just trying to dominate each other. 'Partners' and 'Targets' are two limited edition woodcuts of these opposing interpretations.
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AFFECTION (Twin Set)
The Tender Masculine“Affection” is a set of two very small woodcut prints, 5 x 7 inches each. The wood used had a strong grain, impossible to carve in any detail, so while the theme is delicate the medium provides a course bluntness, aiding the unique expression of masculine tenderness."
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Curious boy - woodcut
Oil based ink on 170gsm paper. Unframed
30cm x 30cm (11.81" x 11.81")
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PAINTINGS
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'Innocent Hylas' is my largest painting. I started it over ten years ago. The title refers to Hylas who, as an adult, was abducted by water nymphs while sailing with the argonauts. 'Hylas and the Nymphs' is also a 1896 painting that caused a stir in 2018 when it was removed over claims of female objectification.
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Innocent Hylas
Oil on wood
56" x 48" (142.24cm x 121.92cm)
SOLD
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GAS & THE GUTTER
Oil on Canvas
40" x 40" (101.6cm x 101.6cm)
SOLD
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Pluto
Oil on Canvas
40" x 30" (101.6cm x 76.2cm)
SOLD
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In "Adolescence’ I wanted to create a picture where the power hierarchy was unclear, the cubs seem harmless, but for how long? Are they being controlled, protected, strangled? The powerful feminine figure is gesturing down, hair like a roman centurion's helmet. I like the questions it throws up. It's a time of scary exploration and expectations."
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Adolescence
Oil on mounted hardboard
48" x 24" (121.92cm x 60.96cm)£1,000.00 -
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Study of an Orange Seed
Three paintings in series"This study of pictures follows the journey of an orange seed as it germinates and matures along side two loose facial forms. The seed appears in the first, halfway up on the right, with the forms both facing downwards and away. In the second painting the seed sprouts and theres a battle betweent he forms, finally in the third it blossoms with the faces looking inwards at each other."
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FREEDOM UNDER FALLING LEAVES
Oil on Canvas
40" x 40" (101.6cm x 101.6cm)SOLD
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Man on bed with red Lily
Oil on Canvus
40" x 40" (101.6cm x 101.6cm) -
“Man on bed with red lily” is the only directly self referencial painting I made. I found myself drawn to Francis Bacon's portraits with their uncomfortable compositions and fragmented figures. It represents a time that was the lowest part of my year. It's a difficult painting for me, yet was probably the most therapeutic to do.”
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Woman in early morning
Oil on canvas paper
16" x 13" (40.64cm x 33.02cm) -
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Boy With Super-Soaker
Oil on Wooden Mount
66.04cm x 60.96cm (26" x 24')£600.00 -
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The nonchalant ring finger
Oil on Canvas
40" x 30" (101.6cm x 76.2cm) -
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The Limelight of Caeneus
Oil on Canvas
40" x 40" (101.6cm x 101.6cm) -
Much of my work takes influences from the greek myths, “Limelight of Caeneus” is based on the story of Caenis, a woman who after being abused by Posidon was so distraught that she demanded to be changed into a man, so that she might never be wronged again. Poseidon granted this wish and also gave Caenis, now Caeneus, impenetrable skin. Here Caeneus is held aloft, or pushing himself up, above a complex distortion of forms that support his limelight.
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The Male Gaze
Oil on canvas paper
15" x 19" (38.1cm x 48.26cm) -
The sad tail of a happy book with a yellow ribbon.
Oil on canvas paper
33.02cm x 48.26cm (13" x 19") -
The Desired Devils
Oil studies"People may see my work as more focused on relationships than masculinity. Perhaps it is, however, in many of my closest relationships the overexpression, suppression or denial of the masculine has been noticeable. These small studies "The Desired Devils" are directly focused on romantic relationships. I was trying to explore how some expressions of masculinity that are demonised in public are still desired in private.”
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Artemis of Artemis
Oil on canvas paper16" x 13" (40.64 x 33.02)SOLD -
“I didnt plan my output to be as style stumbing as it is. When I committed to putting on a show, last January, my life was very different. Like so many others I’ve since lost loved ones, relationships and work. So when I finally got to the studio in late 2020 it was hard to know what direction I was going in, it still is, I think that’s what I ended up expressing.”
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Talk is Cheap
Oil on canvas board
24" x 18" (60.96cm x 45.72cm)NOT FOR SALE -
The Denied Masculine
Oil on Canvas
40" x 30" (101.6cm x 76.2cm)£700.00 -
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DRAWINGS
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“For this show I wanted to throw caution to the wind. I wanted to be as free with larger work as I was with the sketches in my notebook.
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The Constrained Masculine Series
8 Graphite studies -
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Guest Book
You made it to the end! Please let me know what you thinkThank you so much for visiting. Please take a second to honestly let me know what you think. I'm looking for constructive feedback. I wish I could shake your hand and thank you for giving it your time. I'm already working on the next one for summer, so I hope to be able to thank you in person then.
Enjoy spring. x - Sam Hamper
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EXIT THROUGH THE SHOP FOR LIMITED EDITION WOODCUTS
VISIT SHOP
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The Denied Masculine
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