Felicity Hammond

Hidden Gems, 2022

Felicity Hammond’s large-scale collage transports us to futuristic fiery orange scenery. It is reminiscent of apocalyptic images, a run-down construction site in an unknown future. No organic materials can be found; everything needs to be covered. The extracts of blue and orange cleaning products and the silver minerals reinforce the impression that this is a hostile environment for humans and animals.

The work Hidden Gems has been developed for the Photoworks Festival and is part of a series by Hammond working on mineral extraction and mining the earth’s resources. The artist forces us to consider the ephemeral state of modern technology such as fancy phones, slim laptops and shiny cars.

A large window in the middle ground stands between the interior and an outside world, a similar daunting construction site in a desert-like landscape. We are witnessing two worlds on the brink of collapse while they are merging into one. But the brink of those modern worlds offers a chance for new opportunities that could give hope to construct something new.

Felicity Hammond (b. 1988 in Birmingham, UK) lives and works in London.