Draft:Arthur Hammer

Arthur Hammer

Arthur Hammer (1932–2012) was an American figurative painter and occasional actor known for his vivid portraits and expressive style. Largely self-taught, Hammer began painting in his late twenties and was influenced by artists such as Max Beckmann, Alice Neel, and Marsden Hartley.

Early Life and Education

Hammer was born in 1932 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Sophia (née Alperin) and Harry Hammer, first-generation Russian Americans. As a youth, he was drawn to performance and drama. After high school, he moved to New York City to study acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, graduating in 1951. He later served in the United States Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean War.

Acting Career

Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, Hammer worked as a character actor, appearing in television series including C.P.O. Sharkey, Ryan’s Hope, and Love, Sidney. He also performed on stage, notably in the Broadway production of Zoot Suit at the Winter Garden Theatre in 1979.

Visual Art Career

Hammer began painting in 1960 and quickly developed a style that combined psychological portraiture with bold color and gestural brushwork. In 1963, he was given a solo exhibition at the Gallery of Four Walls in New York. During the 1960s, he also created handmade industrial-style chess sets; one such set was included in a 1967 exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art and later published in F. Lanier Graham’s book *Chess Sets* (1968).

By the 1980s, Hammer dedicated himself fully to painting, supporting his career through various jobs, including cab driving and art handling. He opened a gallery in Manhattan’s Chelsea district in 1999, showcasing both his work and that of others.

Style and Legacy

Hammer's work is marked by expressive, psychological depth. Critics and collectors have compared his portraits to those of Alice Neel. His paintings were collected by art enthusiasts across New York and beyond. He lived and worked for four decades in Long Island City, Queens, where he hosted informal salons and exhibitions.

Museum Acquisitions

Hammer's work has been acquired by several institutions:

• 2019 – Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY
• 2017 – Georgia Museum of Art
• 2016 – Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art, New York City
• 2014 – American Visionary Art Museum, Baltimore
• 2013 – Queens Museum, New York
• 2009 – Berkshire Museum, Massachusetts

Exhibitions

Selected exhibitions:

• 1963 – Gallery of Four Walls, NYC
• 1967 – *Chess Sets*, Museum of Modern Art
• 1986–1989 – Marie Pellicone Gallery, NYC and Southampton
• 2002–2004 – Sheppard Art Gallery, MD; Carrie Haddad Gallery, NY
• 2006 – *A Restless Nature*, Art-o-Mat, Long Island City
• 2011 – *Figures and Abstractions*, Carrie Haddad Gallery
• 2015 – *The Big Hope Show*, AVAM

Recognition

In 2008, Hammer received a grant from the Pollock-Krasner Foundation.

Death

Hammer passed away in 2012 after a prolonged battle with cancer. He continued painting until the end of his life.

Personal Life

Hammer never remarried after an early separation. In later years, he was known for his vibrant personality and for hosting artistic gatherings at his Queens home. He also performed cabaret-style music in his retirement.

External Links

• American Visionary Art Museum – Arthur Hammer
• Green-Wood Cemetery Collection
• Papillon Gallery – Arthur Hammer

Category:1932 births Category:2012 deaths Category:American painters Category:American male actors Category:20th-century American painters Category:21st-century American painters Category:Artists from New York City Category:Outsider artists Category:People from Long Island City, Queens Category:Jewish American artists