“Kabuki II (the performance),” oil on canvas, 20 x 24 inches. All images courtesy of CK Contemporary, shared with permission
While scientists and researchers attempt to find innovative solutions to climate devastation and other global ills, Toni Hamel (previously) takes an unorthodox approach to ingenuity. With her unique brand of satire, the artist imagines a world of pure futility, in which geese are affixed to strings suspended from the sky and a massive air freshener replaces living pine trees. When disaster strikes, she suggests, some people gravitate toward the simple, superficial fix and in the case of “In Lieu of Better Days,” choose to spend their time painting a rainbow despite destruction on the horizon.
The paintings shown here are included in Hamel’s forthcoming solo show running from July 6 to August 3 at CK Contemporary in San Francisco. Until then, dive into an archive of her absurd scenes on Instagram.
“The Gardeners,” graphite and watercolor on paper, 15 x 18 inches
“In Lieu of Better Days,” oil on canvas, 18 x 18 inches
“The Flock,” oil on canvas, 24 x 24 inches
“As Beautiful as Rainbows,” graphite, watercolor, and hand-stitched sequins, 22 x 30 inches
“Ikebana X (foxglove),” oil on canvas, 18 x 18 inches
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