Kara Hamilton

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Kara Hamilton (b. 1967, Toronto, Ontario, Canada) explores the agency of material using mostly found or discarded matter. She works in a variety of mediums: sculpture, drawing in two and three dimensions, and jewelry. With a background in visual art, design, and architecture, Hamilton’s works live at the intersection of these disciplines, decontextualizing materials and forms in order to create new spatial narratives. She often begins her making process by thinking about design parameters, such as space and utility, and applies these concepts to unexpected materials. As a result, what Hamilton calls “critical decoration” questions what we consider to be intrinsic material value.

Hamilton received her BFA from Concordia University in 1989, her Bachelor of Architecture from the University of British Columbia in 1993, and her MFA from Yale University in 1999. She has exhibited nationally and internationally at spaces such as MKG127, Toronto (2019); Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art, Winnipeg (2017); EFA Project Space, New York (2016); Tate Liverpool, Liverpool (2015); Kunstverein Amsterdam, Amsterdam (2014); Front Gallery, Houston (2013); Taut and Tame, Berlin (2013); Salon 94, New York (2012); and the Art Gallery of Mississauga, Mississauga (2012). In 2018, she had a solo exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario entitled Water in Two Colours. Hamilton is also the co-director of Kunstverein Toronto. She lives and works in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Kara Hamilton

Maximilion L

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Maximilion L, 2019

Concrete, steel, sterling silver, pyrite, bone

16" X 13" X 10"
40.64cm X 33.02cm X 25.4cm

Kara Hamilton

Guess Thums Up

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Guess Thums Up, 2019

Shoe, can, concrete

9" X 8.1" X 3"
22.86cm X 20.57cm X 7.62cm

Kara Hamilton

mediator 6

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mediator 6, 2019

Brass

3.5" X 2.5" X 3"
8.89cm X 6.35cm X 7.62cm

Kara Hamilton

mediator 3

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mediator 3, 2019

Brass

5" X 4" X 2"
12.7cm X 10.16cm X 5.08cm

Kara Hamilton

mediator 2

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mediator 2, 2019

Brass

3.5" X 7.8" X 2"
8.89cm X 19.81cm X 5.08cm

Kara Hamilton

descendant

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descendant, 2019

Wood concrete, wire, tie

35" X 17" X 10"
88.9cm X 43.18cm X 25.4cm

Kara Hamilton

frequency

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frequency, 2019

Framed works on paper and white gloves

Dimensions variable

Kara Hamilton

utterance 2

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utterance 2, 2019

concrete, trumpets, trombone, LED

16" X 17" X 21"
40.64cm X 43.18cm X 53.34cm

Kara Hamilton

utterance 1

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utterance 1, 2019

concrete, french horn, trumpets, plastic tube, LED

11" X 26" X 25"
27.94cm X 66.04cm X 63.5cm

Kara Hamilton

Nothing is Wild

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Nothing is Wild, 2019

Wood pallet, broken brass instruments, textiles

53" X 54" X 32"
134.62cm X 137.16cm X 81.28cm

Kara Hamilton

Water in two colours

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Water in two colours, 2018 - 2019

Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Canada

Kara Hamilton

Curtain Wall

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Curtain Wall, 2017

Tyndall stone

13" X 7.5" X 2.5"
33.02cm X 19.05cm X 6.35cm

Kara Hamilton

Gift. Provenance: Unknown

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Gift. Provenance: Unknown, 2011

Installation at Salon 94, New York City, New York

Kara Hamilton

Jamaica

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Jamaica, 2012

14K Gold

Dimensions variable

Kara Hamilton

Someone Special

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Someone Special, 2012

14K gold

Dimensions variable

Kara Hamilton

Amber Wall

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Amber Wall, 2016

Brass

Dimensions variable

Kara Hamilton

Speaking Alarms

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Speaking Alarms, 2016

Storyboard of found photos

13" X 21"
33.02cm X 53.34cm

Kara Hamilton

Perfect Vision On Reflection

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Perfect Vision On Reflection, 2016

Glasses, Herkimer diamonds mined by the artist, mirror

Dimensions variable

Kara Hamilton

SAFE

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SAFE, 2016

Found metal chain

Dimensions variable