Newtown Gallery Spotlights Geometric Abstraction In New Exhibit

NEWTOWN, PA — ArtWRKD is presenting an exhibition by artist Jim Hamilton, featuring two distinct bodies of work: early explorations and his current paintings in geometric abstraction.

"Together, these collections offer a compelling view into the evolution of Hamilton’s artistic voice over time," said ArtWRKD founder and resident artist Ashara Shapiro.

Rooted in a lifelong engagement with tradition, Hamilton’s perspective on art was shaped by a family background influenced by German Romanticism and British imperialism.

While he acknowledges the wide range of contemporary artistic expression, his sensibility leans toward the monumental — grand opera, symphonic structure, epic literature, and large-scale visual works — an inclination that informs both his early and current practice.

"Grand Gestures: A Celebration Of Artist Jim Hamilton" traces Hamilton’s journey, beginning with early influences from artists such as Piet Mondrian and Lyonel Feininger. These foundational ideas are reflected in his earlier works, where elements of structure and abstraction begin to take form.

After a 31-year career in law, Hamilton returned to painting with renewed intensity, engaging deeply with the work of Richard Diebenkorn, Paul Klee, Josef Albers, Frank Stella, and Mark Rothko.

Through experimentation with semi-abstraction and Expressionism, Hamilton developed the distinctive geometric language seen in his current work. While the early collection reveals a search and exploration of form, the recent paintings demonstrate a confident, resolved approach — one that synthesizes tradition with improvisation.

“My paintings are composed like pieces of music,” Hamilton explains. “Instead of notes, I use straight lines and circles, filled with colors that interact and resonate with one another.”

Across both bodies of work, Shapiro said the musical sensibility is evident. The paintings function as visual compositions, inviting an emotional response without reliance on narrative or recognizable imagery.

By presenting early and current works side by side, the exhibition highlights both continuity and transformation—revealing how Hamilton’s ideas have matured while remaining grounded in a consistent intellectual and aesthetic framework.

Exhibition Details

• Dates: April 3 to 26
• Where: ArtWRKD, 126-128 South State Street, Newtown
• Opening Reception: April 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. (public invited)
• Artist Dialogue: April 12 from 1 to 2 p.m. (public invited)
  

For more information, contact ArtWRKD at 646-924-7394 or visit ArtWRKD.com