Richard Hambleton

(1952 – 2017)

Richard Hambleton was one of the most prominent and pioneering figures of the downtown New York art scene throughout the 1980's, along with his contemporaries Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Some of his most acclaimed series include his Mass Murder Series, which was completed exclusively on the streets, which involved the artist outlining the formation of a body and mimicking the chalk outlines drawn by police officers at crime scenes. Following the success of this series and its much-garnered attention, Hambleton transitioned to more traditional forms of painting, and began his Shadowman paintings. Consisting of energetically painted, explosive black-silhouetted figures, Hambleton produced a number of these works in cities throughout the world, and even painted multiple figures on both sides of the Berlin Wall in 1984-85. Hambleton later went on to develop this series, and expanded to include the Marlboro man figure, painted in the same fashion as the Shadowman but portrayed directly onto canvas. 

Describing his work as conceptual in its nature, the shadow figures depicted on the streets contained elements of theatricality, as they were strategically placed in dark alleyways, or on street corners thus relying on the element of surprise if an unsuspecting passerby were to stumble upon one of the figures. The distinctively emotional, contemplative and visceral responses elicited by Hambleton's work onto the viewer are some of the hallmarks of what makes his work stand apart from those of his contemporaries and other respective street artists, and solidified his legacy as one of the most important artists to emerge from the most vibrant period of the New York art scene. 

Richard Hambleton was born in Vancouver, Canada and studied at the Vancouver School of Art. His work is held in the permanent collections of the following institutions: the Brooklyn Museum, the MoMa, the Andy Warhol Museum and he has exhibited on two occasions at the Venice Biennale. He was the subject of a major retrospective that travelled internationally, including in Moscow at the Museum of Modern Art of the Russian Academy. Hambleton lived and worked in New York until his passing in 2017.

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

Standing Figures Study

Standing Figures Study

Standing Figures Study

Standing Figures Study

2017

2017

2017

2017

Pen on glassine
11 x 7 in (27.94 x 17.78 cm)

Pen on glassine
11 x 7 in (27.94 x 17.78 cm)

Pen on glassine
11 x 7 in (27.94 x 17.78 cm)

Pen on glassine
11 x 7 in (27.94 x 17.78 cm)

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

Sloan Kettering Nurse

Sloan Kettering Nurse

Sloan Kettering Nurse

Sloan Kettering Nurse

2017

2017

2017

2017

Pen on paper
14 x 11 in (35.56 x 27.94 cm)

Pen on paper
14 x 11 in (35.56 x 27.94 cm)

Pen on paper
14 x 11 in (35.56 x 27.94 cm)

Pen on paper
14 x 11 in (35.56 x 27.94 cm)

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

Shadow Head

Shadow Head

Shadow Head

Shadow Head

2017

2017

2017

2017

Ink on paper
9 x 6 in (22.86 x 15.24 cm)

Ink on paper
9 x 6 in (22.86 x 15.24 cm)

Ink on paper
9 x 6 in (22.86 x 15.24 cm)

Ink on paper
9 x 6 in (22.86 x 15.24 cm)

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

Gold Jumper Sketch

Gold Jumper Sketch

Gold Jumper Sketch

Gold Jumper Sketch

2017

2017

2017

2017

Gold & Ink pen
6.50 x 5.50 in (16.51 x 13.97 cm)

Gold & Ink pen
6.50 x 5.50 in (16.51 x 13.97 cm)

Gold & Ink pen
6.50 x 5.50 in (16.51 x 13.97 cm)

Gold & Ink pen
6.50 x 5.50 in (16.51 x 13.97 cm)

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

3 Traces of Shadow Figures

3 Traces of Shadow Figures

3 Traces of Shadow Figures

3 Traces of Shadow Figures

2017

2017

2017

2017

Ink on vellum
3.50 x 5.50 in (8.89 x 13.97 cm)

Ink on vellum
3.50 x 5.50 in (8.89 x 13.97 cm)

Ink on vellum
3.50 x 5.50 in (8.89 x 13.97 cm)

Ink on vellum
3.50 x 5.50 in (8.89 x 13.97 cm)

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

Shadow Head

Shadow Head

Shadow Head

Shadow Head

2006

2006

2006

2006

Acrylic on paper
24 x 18 in (60.96 x 45.72 cm)

Acrylic on paper
24 x 18 in (60.96 x 45.72 cm)

Acrylic on paper
24 x 18 in (60.96 x 45.72 cm)

Acrylic on paper
24 x 18 in (60.96 x 45.72 cm)

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

Exploding Head

Exploding Head

Exploding Head

Exploding Head

2016

2016

2016

2016

Acrylic on canvas
40 x 30 in (101.60 x 76.20 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
40 x 30 in (101.60 x 76.20 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
40 x 30 in (101.60 x 76.20 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
40 x 30 in (101.60 x 76.20 cm)

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

Shadow Cat

Shadow Cat

Shadow Cat

Shadow Cat

1999

1999

1999

1999

Acylic on paper
21.50 x 17.50 in (54.61 x 44.45 cm)

Acylic on paper
21.50 x 17.50 in (54.61 x 44.45 cm)

Acylic on paper
21.50 x 17.50 in (54.61 x 44.45 cm)

Acylic on paper
21.50 x 17.50 in (54.61 x 44.45 cm)

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

Self Portrait, Bathroom

Self Portrait, Bathroom

Self Portrait, Bathroom

Self Portrait, Bathroom

c. 1976-1979

c. 1976-1979

c. 1976-1979

c. 1976-1979

Silver gelatin photograph
7 x 5 in (17.78 x 12.70 cm)
Image Mass Murder Series

Silver gelatin photograph
7 x 5 in (17.78 x 12.70 cm)
Image Mass Murder Series

Silver gelatin photograph
7 x 5 in (17.78 x 12.70 cm)
Image Mass Murder Series

Silver gelatin photograph
7 x 5 in (17.78 x 12.70 cm)
Image Mass Murder Series

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

Mr. Invisible

Mr. Invisible

Mr. Invisible

Mr. Invisible

c. 1976-1979

c. 1976-1979

c. 1976-1979

c. 1976-1979

Silver gelatin photograph
5 x 7 in (12.70 x 17.78 cm)
Image Mass Murder Series

Silver gelatin photograph
5 x 7 in (12.70 x 17.78 cm)
Image Mass Murder Series

Silver gelatin photograph
5 x 7 in (12.70 x 17.78 cm)
Image Mass Murder Series

Silver gelatin photograph
5 x 7 in (12.70 x 17.78 cm)
Image Mass Murder Series

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

Upheaval

Upheaval

Upheaval

Upheaval

c. 1986

c. 1986

c. 1986

c. 1986

Acrylic on canvas
96 x 46.25 in (243.84 x 117.48 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
96 x 46.25 in (243.84 x 117.48 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
96 x 46.25 in (243.84 x 117.48 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
96 x 46.25 in (243.84 x 117.48 cm)

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

Standing Shadowman (Cobalt/Black)

Standing Shadowman (Cobalt/Black)

Standing Shadowman (Cobalt/Black)

Standing Shadowman (Cobalt/Black)

2017

2017

2017

2017

Acrylic on canvas
72 x 36 in (182.88 x 91.44 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
72 x 36 in (182.88 x 91.44 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
72 x 36 in (182.88 x 91.44 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
72 x 36 in (182.88 x 91.44 cm)

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

2017

2017

2017

2017

Acrylic on canvas
20 x 16 in (50.80 x 40.64 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
20 x 16 in (50.80 x 40.64 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
20 x 16 in (50.80 x 40.64 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
20 x 16 in (50.80 x 40.64 cm)

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

Red Splat Head

Red Splat Head

Red Splat Head

Red Splat Head

2017

2017

2017

2017

Acrylic on canvas
24 x 18 in (60.96 x 45.72 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
24 x 18 in (60.96 x 45.72 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
24 x 18 in (60.96 x 45.72 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
24 x 18 in (60.96 x 45.72 cm)

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

Horse & Rider

Horse & Rider

Horse & Rider

Horse & Rider

2004

2004

2004

2004

Acrylic on paper
23 x 17.50 in (58.42 x 44.45 cm)

Acrylic on paper
23 x 17.50 in (58.42 x 44.45 cm)

Acrylic on paper
23 x 17.50 in (58.42 x 44.45 cm)

Acrylic on paper
23 x 17.50 in (58.42 x 44.45 cm)

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

Shadow Head

Shadow Head

Shadow Head

Shadow Head

1994

1994

1994

1994

Acrylic on paper
29.50 x 21.25 in (74.93 x 53.98 cm)

Acrylic on paper
29.50 x 21.25 in (74.93 x 53.98 cm)

Acrylic on paper
29.50 x 21.25 in (74.93 x 53.98 cm)

Acrylic on paper
29.50 x 21.25 in (74.93 x 53.98 cm)

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

Horse & Rider

Horse & Rider

Horse & Rider

Horse & Rider

2016

2016

2016

2016

Acrylic on canvas
14 x 11 in (35.56 x 27.94 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
14 x 11 in (35.56 x 27.94 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
14 x 11 in (35.56 x 27.94 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
14 x 11 in (35.56 x 27.94 cm)

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

Shadow Head

Shadow Head

Shadow Head

Shadow Head

2006

2006

2006

2006

Acrylic on paper
29 x 18.50 in (73.66 x 46.99 cm)

Acrylic on paper
29 x 18.50 in (73.66 x 46.99 cm)

Acrylic on paper
29 x 18.50 in (73.66 x 46.99 cm)

Acrylic on paper
29 x 18.50 in (73.66 x 46.99 cm)

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

Clooney

Clooney

Clooney

Clooney

2016

2016

2016

2016

Acrylic on canvas
20 x 20 in (50.80 x 50.80 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
20 x 20 in (50.80 x 50.80 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
20 x 20 in (50.80 x 50.80 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
20 x 20 in (50.80 x 50.80 cm)

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

Standing Shadowman

Standing Shadowman

Standing Shadowman

Standing Shadowman

2017

2017

2017

2017

Acrylic on canvas
72 x 36 in (182.88 x 91.44 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
72 x 36 in (182.88 x 91.44 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
72 x 36 in (182.88 x 91.44 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
72 x 36 in (182.88 x 91.44 cm)

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

Untitled Standing Shadow

Untitled Standing Shadow

Untitled Standing Shadow

Untitled Standing Shadow

2017

2017

2017

2017

Acrylic on canvas
80 x 30 in (203.20 x 76.20 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
80 x 30 in (203.20 x 76.20 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
80 x 30 in (203.20 x 76.20 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
80 x 30 in (203.20 x 76.20 cm)

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

richard-hambleton

Shadow Head

Shadow Head

Shadow Head

Shadow Head

2016

2016

2016

2016

Acrylic on canvas
16 x 20 in (40.64 x 50.80 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
16 x 20 in (40.64 x 50.80 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
16 x 20 in (40.64 x 50.80 cm)

Acrylic on canvas
16 x 20 in (40.64 x 50.80 cm)

ISABEL SULLIVAN

GALLERY

39 Lispenard St.
New York, NY 10013

Tuesday—Saturday: 10am—6pm
Sunday—Monday: Closed

ISABEL SULLIVAN

GALLERY

39 Lispenard St.
New York, NY 10013

Tuesday—Saturday: 10am—6pm
Sunday—Monday: Closed

ISABEL SULLIVAN

GALLERY

39 Lispenard St.
New York, NY 10013

Tuesday—Saturday: 10am—6pm
Sunday—Monday: Closed

ISABEL SULLIVAN

GALLERY

39 Lispenard St.
New York, NY 10013

Tuesday—Saturday: 10am—6pm
Sunday—Monday: Closed