Derek Hambly, an internationally acclaimed artist, will return to the Whitewater Arts Alliance’s Cultural Arts Center this month with an exhibit featuring his current work. The show will open Friday, Jan. 9 and close Jan. 25 – the CAC will be open to all and free of charge on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. during that time. Attendees are invited to meet Hambly and enjoy a free opening reception on Saturday, Jan. 10 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Many publications, including Madison Magazine, have featured Hambly and his work. Kevin Lynch of The Capital Times wrote in 2002: “The Australian-born painter wields his talent and unabated energy as one of the most impressive abstract artists to hit the United States in years.” As a professional artist in Australia, he became known in high art circles as “One of the most powerful young abstract painters in Australia.”
Linda Long, president of the Whitewater Arts Alliance, said: “We are so thrilled to have Derek’s work in the gallery once again. January can be a pretty gloomy month, and I for one am looking forward to his bright, bold abstracts and other colorful paintings. It will be like a breath of spring in Whitewater. Derek has been a great supporter of our community arts program, and has participated in our public art project for several years. I hope everyone gets a chance to come visit the CAC to enjoy his great talent.”
In 1999, America beckoned. Derek answered with a solo exhibition at The University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. A rapid-fire succession of shows throughout the east coast and Midwest followed.
Some of Hambly’s recent exhibitions include: solo shows at Steve Martin Galleries of Miami and New Orleans. Other shows during this period include Gruen Galleries of Chicago and Caelum Gallery in New York City.
Hambly Studios is located in Jefferson and Hambly is currently represented by Gallerie MK of Chicago; Steve Martin Galleries of Miami and New Orleans; Integrated Art Group of Evansville; Pollock Gallery, Melbourne, Australia; Linden Gallery of Ellison Bay; the Yunnan Provence in China; Artasia of Milwaukee; Galerie Matisse of Lake Geneva; Gary’s Art and Frame Shop of Middleton; and Cholke d’Capri Fine Art Gallery of Rockford, Ill.
“I am looking for the ultimate power of art through color, shape and form. From the 1960’s to the present, the evolution of my work has gone from landscape to pure, hard-edge abstraction, to what is now a more symbolic and personal abstract expression. It has been a major search for this ultimate power of art, and I am always looking for the elements that will create the most powerful painting ever painted,” Hambly said in a statement.
In talking about his growth as an artist, Hambly said: “I started out painting landscapes at the beginning of my art career. My present abstractions have grown out of the symbols and forces which I discovered painting those landscapes, over and over. For an artist to develop themselves and their work, they need to get down to what they’re about and their own journey as a creator. It’s only then that one can get close to finding the truth, and being a truth seeker, which is the most important part about being a truly fine artist.”
The Whitewater Arts Alliance’s Cultural Arts Center is located on 402 West Main Street in the historic White building near the Birge Fountain.
Parking is located behind the building. An elevator is available for access from the parking lot entrance.
