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On August 26, 2023, a new exhibition titled Walter Lobyn Hamilton What I Have You Have will debut in The Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields. This compelling exhibition by Indianapolis-based artist Walter Lobyn Hamilton is a visual memoir of interconnectivity through time, experience, genre, family, locality and memory.
Walter Lobyn Hamilton is a self-taught visual artist who creates representational collages with vinyl records and album covers. He is known for his renderings of political and social figures, social movements, cultural and musical icons. Since receiving his first set of turntables at age 15, Hamilton has amassed a record collection of over 30,000 LPs.
What I Have You Have will feature six monumental collages made entirely from vinyl records and album covers, some of which were collected from Newfields guests. All six works of art are more than 10 feet wide and 7 feet tall, covering the gallery walls and immersing viewers in Hamilton’s world. Four of the six works are loans from Hamilton, and two works were specifically commissioned by Newfields for this exhibition. In conjunction with Record Store Day, Newfields collected 600 album donations for use in the two commissioned artworks.
Guests are encouraged to digitally disconnect and be present with Hamilton’s work. The exhibition will feature a playlist curated by music historian Kyle Long and Lobyn Hamilton. The experience extends off-site with three unique activations in collaboration with community partners at the Central Library, the University of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
The exhibition explores his other passions, including his newest project B-SIDE Creative Campus, an Indy-based project providing subsidized live/workspaces for emerging, established and under-served artists and creators from various disciplines.
Hamilton’s work has been featured in exhibitions and shows at Art Basel Miami, Herron School of Art + Design, Long-Sharp Gallery, Indiana State Museum and featured on the hit TV show, Empire Records. Learn more about Walter Lobyn Hamilton at vinylrecordartist.com.
What I Have You Have is curated by external curator Sheba Kane Collective. Sheba Kane Collective is a creative-run collective that seeks collaborations within the creative spectrum and subsidizes living and workspaces for visual, performing and literary artists. They are an anonymous group of creatives, professionals and misfits from all walks of life, skill, age, gender, ethnicity, ability and background focused on sustainable disruption.
Celebrate the opening of What I Have You Have at a reception on Saturday, August 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. The reception is free for everyone and will include light appetizers, a cash bar, live music and remarks. Tickets are recommended but not required.
What I Have You Have will be on view through May 19, 2024.
What do you think?