Odyssey to Opus: Hamish Blakely

An accomplished student of art history and well versed in his craft, figurative painter Hamish Blakely is a modern master. Upon the release of his new limited edition artwork, which is inspired by Diego Velázquez’s ‘Rokeby Venus’, it is a pleasure to take you on a tour of his artistic odyssey to date.

Sweet Venus

Hamish Blakely

$18,841.67 (Ex VAT)

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Original

Sweet Venus

Hamish Blakely

$927.50 (Ex VAT)

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Limited Edition

SHOP ALL HAMISH BLAKELY

Muse | 2011

A visual rediscovery of his wife Gail “in all her incarnations”, this collection marked the start of Hamish’s odyssey. Rather than academic renderings or ornamental depictions of the female nude, Hamish expresses emotions with a subtle shift in posture. He says: “I felt as though I was creating the most important work I had ever done. Sometimes the greatest inspiration is right in front of you.”

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Simple Pleasures | 2013

This compelling curation of art prompts viewers to lose and find themselves simultaneously. Van Gogh is quoted to have said: “What is done in love is done well”, and that is keystone of Hamish’s compositions. In using his wife as his muse, Hamish translates their love into art, recording every emotion and shared moment with brushstrokes.

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Out of Work Angels | 2015

Hamish’s intuitive understanding of the female body saw him paint a range of tableaus depicting faithless, fallen angels exhibiting human frailties. Posing disconsolately, smoking and rebelling, these are not the iconic archangels of artistic forebears like Raphael and Caravaggio. Instead, they are an opportunity to explore the morals of modern society.

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Heavenly Creatures | 2017

This collection celebrates the mystifying blend of feminine beauty and strength. Loyal to the genre of the nude and venerated goddess, these works revel in the majesty of a woman’s presence while hinting at deeper, primal forces. Hamish adds: “While a man rests his self-worth on how he is seen by others, a woman’s status is grounded in how she sees herself. Is there anything more powerful than that?”

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iMasterpiece | 2019

Through the lens of the Old Masters, Hamish captures the snare of social media in this provocative collection. Classic masterpieces by artists like Vermeer and Velázquez are fused with materialistic symbols and instantly-recognisable cultural symbols including Banksy and Mickey Mouse. He has also experimented with Neoclassicism, Romanticism and Pre-Raphaelite styles.

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