Justing Hammer Artist Statement

My work is less about manipulating materials to make a specific statement, and more about recognizing what they must become. Building upon concepts of simplicity, I draw inspiration from the idea that things in their original state contain a natural power to evoke a sense of stillness. I have come to appreciate that my ordered methods of creation allow me to dissipate the overcrowding of my mind, giving me the chance to relax and consider the true essence of a given space or material. By removing all that is extraneous, I am left with something that can be truly thought provoking. Detail and order make for a clean and minimal composition, but leave room for the realization of subtle patterns, imperfections, and spatial relationships that work to heighten the overall experience of a piece. I think of each artwork as having an intrinsic resonance. This “tone” is meant to be obvious yet unassuming, promoting a state of contemplation in which the inherent sound is amplified through the process of discovery.