About Peter
My current practice mostly involves the creation of figurative tableaux’s populated by uncanny protagonists. Art as a cultural and political critique is an important aspect of my work; as the literary theorist Terry Eagleton says:
‘one of the great humanist functions of culture is to open some daylight between its self and the rest of our social practices and institutions so it could actual operate as a critique of them’
Through the largely narrative driven events taking place in my fantastical sculptural worlds, the extremes of society are humorously played out by my protagonists. By taking inspiration from real world events, such as climate change, the banking crisis and the refugee crisis; themes ranging from the environmental to the ideological are explored. In one piece ‘Regressive Flight’ a glow in the dark rubber duck is used as an instrument of supposed divine power or divine irony. Another, ‘Open’ references the refugee crisis in the form of an injured party looking up at a blocked entrance to apparent sanctuary while somewhat incongruously there’s an ‘Open’ sign attached to the aforementioned entrance. A myriad of influences permeate the work including the iconoclasm of the Chapman Bothers, satire of cartoonist Steve Bell and the intricacy and humour of the taxidermy models of Tessa Farmer.
As well as adding a poignancy to certain topics the use of, or implied use of animal bones subversively underpins the work. Ultimately there is a futility as the protagonists are already dead, lending the work a fatalistic tone and leading the viewer towards their own mortality juxtaposed by my own actions in playing God with my protagonists ‘lives’.
Peter Hanmer winner of the Gillian Dickinson North East Young Sculptor of the Year Award, 2017, was born in 1992 in Northumberland where he is currently based. He studied at the University of the Creative Arts in Farnham, where he received a BA (hons) in Fine Art in May 2014. Since graduating Peter gone on complete a residency in his home county and exhibit his work at a variety of gallery’s and venues both locally and internationally. He is currently studying for his Masters at Newcastle University.
All animal bones used in my work are legally and ethically sourced, and have mostly been found by me on walks in my home county of Northumberland.
Most works that contain animal bones are for display only and not for sale unless noted by the work.
Where required under the wildlife and countryside act 1981, a "certificate of proof" will be sent with work when sold. Everything offered for sale is fully legal within the UK but some parts of his sculptures may be restricted overseas so please contact me in regards to spesific pieces.
‘one of the great humanist functions of culture is to open some daylight between its self and the rest of our social practices and institutions so it could actual operate as a critique of them’
Through the largely narrative driven events taking place in my fantastical sculptural worlds, the extremes of society are humorously played out by my protagonists. By taking inspiration from real world events, such as climate change, the banking crisis and the refugee crisis; themes ranging from the environmental to the ideological are explored. In one piece ‘Regressive Flight’ a glow in the dark rubber duck is used as an instrument of supposed divine power or divine irony. Another, ‘Open’ references the refugee crisis in the form of an injured party looking up at a blocked entrance to apparent sanctuary while somewhat incongruously there’s an ‘Open’ sign attached to the aforementioned entrance. A myriad of influences permeate the work including the iconoclasm of the Chapman Bothers, satire of cartoonist Steve Bell and the intricacy and humour of the taxidermy models of Tessa Farmer.
As well as adding a poignancy to certain topics the use of, or implied use of animal bones subversively underpins the work. Ultimately there is a futility as the protagonists are already dead, lending the work a fatalistic tone and leading the viewer towards their own mortality juxtaposed by my own actions in playing God with my protagonists ‘lives’.
Peter Hanmer winner of the Gillian Dickinson North East Young Sculptor of the Year Award, 2017, was born in 1992 in Northumberland where he is currently based. He studied at the University of the Creative Arts in Farnham, where he received a BA (hons) in Fine Art in May 2014. Since graduating Peter gone on complete a residency in his home county and exhibit his work at a variety of gallery’s and venues both locally and internationally. He is currently studying for his Masters at Newcastle University.
All animal bones used in my work are legally and ethically sourced, and have mostly been found by me on walks in my home county of Northumberland.
Most works that contain animal bones are for display only and not for sale unless noted by the work.
Where required under the wildlife and countryside act 1981, a "certificate of proof" will be sent with work when sold. Everything offered for sale is fully legal within the UK but some parts of his sculptures may be restricted overseas so please contact me in regards to spesific pieces.