PHILLIP HAMPTON
Bio by Dr. John W. NunleyPhillip Hampton’s words “what is reality and what makes reality real?” has inspired artists to create works of art for more than half a century. His quest to find the totality, the essence of particular realities has been assisted by the experimental approach he takes in the creation of all his works. By bringing to his studio an ever-changing set of raw materials, including paint, Hampton makes visual statements about the mutable reality which challenges and redeems the human spirit.
Hampton’s use of the analytic and scientific method visual spiritual statements makes him unique. Moreover, this approach has propelled him from figurative art from his days as a student at the Kansas City Art Institute to his recent abstract collages as Professor Emeritus at Southern Illinois University.
As a painter and a black American, Hampton is a pioneer. He has been the subject of may books, including Cedric Dover’s American Negro Art and Samella Lewis’ Black Artists on Art. The artist’s landscape and figurative arts respectively compare to works by well-known black American artists as Hale Woudroff and Robert Blackburn. As an art professor, Hampton has inspired artists. As an individual who divines the totality of being in the various realms of reality, Hampton is simply a great artist.
Phillip Hampton 's work is currently on display with John Barton in Art Inside and Out at the Regional Arts Commissionnin St Louis curated by Laurie Carmody. To read Laurie's curator statement scroll to the bottom of this page.
Click here for more information on Art Inside and Out
Acrylic emulsion/mixed media
14 x 13 inches
$1200
Ceremony for Blossom
Mixed media- acrylic emulsion
16 x 23 inches
$2500
Mixed media- acrylic emulsion
9 x 8 inches_____ $1200Blossoms in the Heat
Mixed media- acrylic emulsion
9 x 10 inches
$1200
Mixed media- acrylic emulsion
12 x 24 inches
$2500Sacred Skin
Mixed media- acrylic emulsion
17 x 21 inches
$2500
Mixed media- acrylic emulsion
9 x 9.5 inches
$1200Florid Bits
Mixed media- acrylic emulsion
9 x 10 inches
$1200
ART INSIDE AND OUT
Regional Arts Commission St Louis
March 6 - April 12, 2009
Curator’s Statement, by Laurie Carmody Ahner, Galerie Bonheur
An Insider Artist, An Outsider Artist; one Trained and one Untrained, Intellectual and Soul-Searching: ART from the Mind and the Heart.
What comparisons can one make when viewing the paintings of Phillip Hampton and John Barton, which hang in the same room here at the Regional Arts Commission? On the surface it would appear that their works have little in common. Let’s explore further to find some wonderful commonalities, as well as some obvious differences.
Hampton is a trained artist who attended the Kansas City Art Institute, obtaining both his BFA and MFA degrees. He taught studio art at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville for 21 years. During his career Hampton has been given high praise and support for his creative output, both by scholars, museums and the art world at large. This enthusiasm and feedback has resulted in many sales of his work to collectors and institutions, including gifts of his pieces to the St Louis Art Museum.
As an “Insider”, this trained artist has contributed much to the world of art, and has inspired many. Hampton’s work is mostly abstract, focusing on components of color, composition and motion and the interactions of these components.Barton grew up not far from Hampton, in the Alton, Illinois area. After a rough upbringing and a challenging home-life, John ran away from home at age 14, quit school, and joined the Marines at age 17. He liked to draw from an early age and with no influence or training John painted continuously in isolation. His artwork was not “accepted” by the art world or society, and until 2002 John had no feedback or enthusiasm for his work from others. At that time, I began to represent John’s work in Galerie Bonheur, entering it into exhibitions and shows. Finally the talent and passionate expressions of John Barton were appreciated and collected by Outsider Art Collectors from around the globe.
Barton is a true Outsider, an Untrained, Self-Taught artist, who has always painted and worked on his own with little support or sway. His work is figurative and expressionistic, and his subject matter most often contains a message or testimonial written in his own hand.
So what are the common attributes of these two talents?
Both artists are successful without being a Damien Hirst type of celebrity. Both drew my attention immediately upon viewing their artwork many years ago. Common characteristics include:
1. an innovative and experimental approach
2. the use of a variety of materials, artistic methods and mixed media
3. a consistent, well thought out sense of balance and composition
4. a heavily contemplated and analytical method
5. a pioneering initiative and a spirited and daring attitude
6. a resulting work of art which is full of energy, emotion and passion
7. a perceptive and keen awareness of the human spiritPhillip Hampton’s abstract patterns and brilliant colors virtually dance off the walls. His paintings resonate with dazzling and delightful thoughts, emotions and reactions. It is a pleasure to be in their presence. The visual statements create a sense of wonder and joy in the viewer, confirming the beauty, variety and possibility of his glorious world of art. Hampton persists in painting to further his discoveries and more clearly define his role in the world of art.
John Barton’s paintings draw out strong emotional responses in the viewer as well. It is obvious from the start that his artistic output is coming from a deep place inside: a place full of pain and sorrow from distressed memories of grief stricken life experiences. Barton is a classic Outsider Artist who reaches profoundly into his soul to express his most personal dreams, thoughts, ideas, imaginations and reactions to life and his world. From that place he paints his inner vision. One cannot help but empathize with this unfettered bearing of the soul.
This exhibition of ART INSIDE and OUT celebrates the incredible abilities and contributions of two very unique and different artists. Their prolific output of talent grew from very diverse experiences here in the regional area. We the viewers are so fortunate to benefit from these amazing talents in our midst!Laurie Carmody Ahner, March 2009
