Biography

Elizabeth K Hamer (b. 1984) is a British, practising artist who currently resides in Stockholm, Sweden.

After achieving a BTEC Diploma in Fine Art at Bedford College in 2003, Hamer took a year out of education to experience the less pampered life away from the comforts of home. Spending 5 months in New Zealand she painted many of the diverse landscapes the country has to offer.

On her return to England she enrolled at the University of the West of England to study Fine Art. It was during this time that she concentrated on how humans interact with their natural environment. Having always had a love for animals, Hamer explored the different ways in which we (humans) interfere with our world leaving a negative footprint. She looked at animals that humans are believed to have an affinity with such as elephants and dolphins and tried to convey the brutality and cruelty which we inflict on these animals every day while many people choose to turn a blind eye. This has been illustrated as such in the paintings ‘Man at Work I’ and ‘Man at Work II’. Rather than copying slavishly the photographic snapshot, Hamer has intentionally finished the paintings having left certain areas unfinished, or with a ghostly effect. Using this technique against areas of heavy detail has allowed her to create a gentle yet sinister atmosphere within the paintings.

Having completed her degree in 2007 she spent 18 months travelling the world spending much of her time in South East Asia and Australasia. It has been an eye opening experience for the artist and has influenced her artwork in many ways. Hamer has documented her travelling experiences through paintings, some are memories which she wishes to cherish and others show the harsh reality of what has happened in some of the poorest countries in the world.