Alexander James Hamilton
born 1967, London.
Welcome to the store of the Distil Ennui Studio. My name is Alexander James Hamilton and I am the artist behind the works you see here. Since founding the studio in 1990, I have dedicated myself to creating works that engage deeply with the cultural and environmental issues of our time. This store features a selection of original works spanning four decades of studio and location-based practice, along with unique objects that I have made and personally choose to live with and cherish.
Every piece is thoughtfully crafted by hand in the studio, using only natural or recycled materials, and always with a commitment to environmental circularity. For me, art serves a purpose beyond aesthetics; it is a call to action, making societal and ecological concerns relevant while inspiring tangible change.
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Collapsible content
SOLO EXHIBITIONS (selected)
08-2021 – 'Drink Less' sculpture exhibition made from island cleanup interventions.
07-2020 – 'Renaciendo', derelict Baroque Carmelite convent dating from 1688.
05-2019 – 'Breaking the plastic habit' public installation climate week; Canary Wharf, London.
05-2018 – 'Visions from the shoreline' Dellasposa Gallery, London.
08-2017 – 'Death of the dream' Dellasposa Gallery, 93 Piccadilly, London.
05-2017 – 'All icons are false' D-Contemporary Gallery, London.
05-2016 – 'The illusion of oil' Ekaterinburg, Russia.
01-2015 – 'Oil + Water' IX sculptural works installed in the forests of Siberia.
10-2014 – 'Vanitas' Cafe Royal, London.
04-2014 – 'Rastvorennaya Pechal' Triumph Gallery, Moscow.
04-2013 – 'Intersection' London.
05-2012 – 'A beautiful announcement of death' PA&G Gallery, London.
05-2010 – ‘Taxi’ Ann330 Gallery, Los Angeles.
04-2010 – ‘Tokyo Green’ Conningsby Gallery, London.
09-2009 – ‘Space & Time’ London.
01-2008 – ‘Working Water’ RCP Gallery, Sydney.
09-2006 – ‘Flight' The Boiler House, Shanghai.
11-2004 – ‘Shift’ 109 Building, Shibuya, Tokyo.
08-2003 – ‘No Logo’ Maison Bastille, Paris.
08-2002 – ‘The Colour Candy’ G & A Gallery, Sydney.
09-2000 – 'Flesh & Foliage' Loft 56, New York.
07-1999 – 'Liquid Mechanics' 18 installations mapping endangered streams.
01-1996 – 'Defluxio' deviation plinths installed in Los Angeles floodwater causeway, USA.
12-1995 – 'Dreams walking past' guerrilla exhibition installation Fifth Avenue, New York.
02-1990 – ‘Flight’ London.
09-1987 – 'Parking For Free' guerrilla exhibition, Canal Street, New York car park across 3 levels.
02-1986 – 'Intervened' 20 installation works mapping Caribbean endangered reef hotspots.
07-1985 – 'Under the surface' tourisms effect offshore. National Pantheon, Dominican Republic.
GROUP SHOWS (selected)
01-2021 – 'Objects & Structures' Dark Vat collaboration, Russian Academy Of Science.
05-2019 – 'Dark Vat' re-purposing a disused photographic paper factory in, Siberia.
09-2018 – 'Site Unseen' Dellasposa Gallery, London.
09-2017 – 'Contemporary Still Life' City of London Guildhall, London.
05-2017 – 'Ars Moriendi' Dellasposa Gallery, London.
02-2017 – Museum of Contemporary Art 'Vanitas'. Four Domes Pavilion, Warsaw.
05-2016 - 'Still Life' Bohuslans Museum, Sweden.
04-2016 - 'Reinvigorating the still life' Konsthallen Bohuslän Museum, Sweden.
06-2015 – 'Natre Morte' Hå Gamle Prestegard Museum exhibition, Stavanger, Norway.
12-2011 – ‘Iconoclasts’ Lloyds Club, London.
10-2011 – 'The House Of The Nobleman', London.
06-2011 – ‘Still Even’ Pertwee Anderson & Gold Gallery, London.
10-2010 – ‘You Are Here’ Flaere Gallery, London.
PROJECTS (selected)
04-2024 – 'Designing A Circular Future' 3 day design workshop University of Valencia.
01-2024 - The Underwater Image Library for Licensing, a catalogue of 4 decades image making.
10-2022 – 'Waste to Wealth' one week plastic & aluminium studio based recycling workshop.
02-2022 – NFC art authentication offering uncompromising studio provenance verification.
12-2021 - Siberian winter studio relocation to complete unfinished works from 'Oil + Water'.
05-2021 - Design & install a plastic & aluminium recycling facility, Maldives.
07-2020 - Lighting installation & re-opening of a Baroque Carmelite convent.
05-2019 - Keynote speaker and studio host to the Plastic Free Design Workshop, Siberia.
04-2019 – 'Dark Vat' artist residency 15 artists in a disused photographic paper factory.
01-2019 - Invited as a keynote speaker at Plastic Free Maldives Legacy Workshop.
10-2018 – 20 works donated to fund a community PET & HDPE plastic recycling facility.
02-2018 – Artist residency offered to glassmaker Zachery Cincotta (USA).
10-2017 – Studio relocates Baa Atol, Maldives to create a new works.
10-2016 – Launch of secure legacy authentication through US-Copyright Office & NFC Tags.
01-2016 – Three poetry recital films released from the 2015 artist residency.
07-2015 – Artist residency offered to eight UK based artists.
01-2015 – Studio relocates to the forests of Siberia to create a new body of work 'Oil + Water'.
12-2014 – Artist talk 'Deconstructing Flow Practice' Cafe Royal, London.
09-2014 – Artist residency offered to Russian painter Alex Kuznetsov.
11-2013 – Studio relocates to 'Red October' chocolate factory, Moscow.
03-2012 – 'Tokyo Taxi' a collection of photography & texts (2002 - 2012) published by Merrell.
05-1995 – Fabricated & distributed salt water solar stills to remote island nation inhabitants.
07-1986 – 9 month kayak expedition, Maldives, distributing aluminium can crushers.
BIBLIOGRAPHY (selected)
08-2023 - 'From water to the universe' cymatics & gravitational waves by Paul Carey-Kent.
04-2023 - Conversation with Bob Chaundry founder of Considering Art, recorded in April 2023.
10-2021 - Islanders Magazine regarding science, design & sustainability.
10-2021 - Paradise Magazine 'Makers Place turns rubbish into carbon neutral art in the Maldives'.
08-2021 - In conversation with author Emma Coccioli discussing 'Fusion'.
08-2021 - Paul Carey-Kent writes 'Art into action into art' for FAD.
07-2021 - Distil Ennui Studio launch's 'Makers Place' turning waste into art.
07-2021 - Sustainable Lifestyle Magazine investigate 'Makers Place' recycling studio.
09-2020 - Journalist Jesus de Andres of Neuva Alcarria visits 'Renciendo'.
08-2020 - text by Javier Poyatos Sebastian, professor at the University of Valencia.
05-2019 - Art Critic Oksana Budulak talks about 'Dark Vat'.
04-2019 - Sobaka Magazine visit to meet the artists during the Siberian residency.
04-2019 - Sayan Arts Documentary Film I + Film II both exploring the Dark Vat artist residency.
03-2019 - Documentary film maker Elizaveta Stefankina with her interpretation of 'Dark Vat'
03-2019 - Cultura24 film explore the Dark Vat Studio, Siberia.
11-2018 - In discussion with VoyageLA, California.
02-2018 - Vernon Press, USA publish 'Animae' interviews collated by Emma Coccioli.
08-2017 - Luxury London 'Deep Water' discover the surface tension of water as my playground.
08-2017 - ArtNet How to continue to challenge our understanding of the photographic medium.
08-2017 - The history behind artists working with flag motifs.
05-2017 - interview with ArtNet. How can water be used as a medium?.
02-2017 - artist text 'Studio as laboratory' published in issue 13 AfterNyne Magazine.
12-2016 - Atlas Obscura 'Tokyo Taxi' article by Lauren Young.
07-2016 - article 'The butterfly effect' Christie's International Magazine.
06-2016 – article 'Dancing with butterflies' by Tricia Divets of Private Air Magazine.
05-2016 - 'The great leveller' joins the Donna Spaan art collection
01-2016 – 'Pure Process' a discussion with Philistine Magazine's edition Crista Leonard.
12-2015 – Russia Today TV 'Immersed In Moscow' TV documentary
12-2015 – 'Portrait of an artist' article by Eloise Stevens.
09-2015 – Academic paper 'Chaos In Residence' by Eloise Stephens exploring the artist residency.
08-2015 – interview FOUR Magazine's Arts Editor, Eva Luis Schwatz.
06-2015 – 'OIL + WATER' shortlisted for ‘Environmental photographer of the year 2015’ award.
02-2015 - Interview with Jeff Campagna, Smithsonian Magazine.
01-2015 - Four Magazine 'Malerisch Fotografiert' interview with Arts Editor, Eva-Luise Scharwz.
11-2014 – Interview with Laissez Faire Arts Editor Britt Pflüger 'Ophelia & The Chocolate Factory'.
09-2014 – 'Deutche Welle' EuroMax TV's studio visit to explore the underwater process.
08-2014 - interview with Anna Mcnay, Arts Critic for Studio International discussing Russia.
07-2014 – Billionaire Magazine interview with discussions of Russia.
06-2014 – 'An Englishman in Moscow' arts correspondent, Bric Magazine.
04-2014 – Wall Street International explore 'Rastvoyrennaya Pechal'
04-2014 – ArtDaily an underground studio in Moscow to create works from within Russia.
04-2014 – Studio visit & interview with Arts Editor Dana Gorshkova of BURO 247.
03-2014 – critical text by professor Andrei Tolstoy for the exhibition 'Rastvorennaya Pechal'.
03-2014 - RPS, 'the first British artist in 30 years to prepare like this within Russia'.
02-2014 – Interview on Voice Of Russia Radio, London.
01-2014 – interview discussing my relocation to The Red October Studio, Russia.
11-2013 – interview with Blouin Arts, Moscow Arts Editor, Nastassia Astrasheuskaya.
10-2013 – Thames & Hudson publish 'Natre Morte' with texts by Dr Michael Petry.
08-2013 – interview with Moscow Times, Arts & Culture Editor Garrison Golubock 'Art & Russia'.
05-2013 - The Positive Arts whats 'Behind the art'.
05-2013 - interview with Charlotte Simmonds of New Statesman 'Painting with light'.
04-2013 – Aestetica Magazine explore the exhibition 'Intersection'
03-2013 – Article by Bob Chaundry, Arts Editor of the Huffington Post.
01-2013 – 'Dead Or Alive' Gavin Lucas, Editor of Creative Review deconstructs 'Glass'.
12-2012 – Sunday Telegraph Newspaper, 'Panorama In The Arts' Section explores 'Glass'.
03-2012 – 'Tokyo Taxi' a collection of photography & texts (1988 - 2012) published by Merrell.
09-2010 – AOP Association Of Photographers IMAGE Magazine; cover article exploring 'Fusion'.
06-2010 – academic text by John Routledge 'Fusion'.
03-2010 - LA TIMES magazine publish 'Tokyo Taxi'.
08-2009 - Creative Review publish a monograph book on 'Tokyo Taxi'.
02-2009 - DIF Magazine publish 'Tokyo Taxi'.
08-2023 - 'From water to the universe' cymatics & gravitational waves by Paul Carey-Kent.
04-2023 - Conversation with Bob Chaundry founder of Considering Art, recorded in April 2023.
10-2021 - Islanders Magazine regarding science, design & sustainability.
10-2021 - Paradise Magazine 'Makers Place turns rubbish into carbon neutral art in the Maldives'.
08-2021 - In conversation with author Emma Coccioli discussing 'Fusion'.
08-2021 - Paul Carey-Kent writes 'Art into action into art' for FAD.
07-2021 - Distil Ennui Studio launch's 'Makers Place' turning waste into art.
07-2021 - Sustainable Lifestyle Magazine investigate 'Makers Place' recycling studio.
09-2020 - Journalist Jesus de Andres of Neuva Alcarria visits 'Renciendo'.
08-2020 - text by Javier Poyatos Sebastian, professor at the University of Valencia.
05-2019 - Art Critic Oksana Budulak talks about 'Dark Vat'.
04-2019 - Sobaka Magazine visit to meet the artists during the Siberian residency.
04-2019 - Sayan Arts Documentary Film I + Film II both exploring the Dark Vat artist residency.
03-2019 - Documentary film maker Elizaveta Stefankina with her interpretation of 'Dark Vat'
03-2019 - Cultura24 film explore the Dark Vat Studio, Siberia.
11-2018 - In discussion with VoyageLA, California.
02-2018 - Vernon Press, USA publish 'Animae' interviews collated by Emma Coccioli.
08-2017 - Luxury London 'Deep Water' discover the surface tension of water as my playground.
08-2017 - ArtNet How to continue to challenge our understanding of the photographic medium.
08-2017 - The history behind artists working with flag motifs.
05-2017 - interview with ArtNet. How can water be used as a medium?.
02-2017 - artist text 'Studio as laboratory' published in issue 13 AfterNyne Magazine.
12-2016 - Atlas Obscura 'Tokyo Taxi' article by Lauren Young.
07-2016 - article 'The butterfly effect' Christie's International Magazine.
06-2016 – article 'Dancing with butterflies' by Tricia Divets of Private Air Magazine.
05-2016 - 'The great leveller' joins the Donna Spaan art collection
01-2016 – 'Pure Process' a discussion with Philistine Magazine's edition Crista Leonard.
12-2015 – Russia Today TV 'Immersed In Moscow' TV documentary
12-2015 – 'Portrait of an artist' article by Eloise Stevens.
09-2015 – Academic paper 'Chaos In Residence' by Eloise Stephens exploring the artist residency.
08-2015 – interview FOUR Magazine's Arts Editor, Eva Luis Schwatz.
06-2015 – 'OIL + WATER' shortlisted for ‘Environmental photographer of the year 2015’ award.
02-2015 - Interview with Jeff Campagna, Smithsonian Magazine.
01-2015 - Four Magazine 'Malerisch Fotografiert' interview with Arts Editor, Eva-Luise Scharwz.
11-2014 – Interview with Laissez Faire Arts Editor Britt Pflüger 'Ophelia & The Chocolate Factory'.
09-2014 – 'Deutche Welle' EuroMax TV's studio visit to explore the underwater process.
08-2014 - interview with Anna Mcnay, Arts Critic for Studio International discussing Russia.
07-2014 – Billionaire Magazine interview with discussions of Russia.
06-2014 – 'An Englishman in Moscow' arts correspondent, Bric Magazine.
04-2014 – Wall Street International explore 'Rastvoyrennaya Pechal'
04-2014 – ArtDaily an underground studio in Moscow to create works from within Russia.
04-2014 – Studio visit & interview with Arts Editor Dana Gorshkova of BURO 247.
03-2014 – critical text by professor Andrei Tolstoy for the exhibition 'Rastvorennaya Pechal'.
03-2014 - RPS, 'the first British artist in 30 years to prepare like this within Russia'.
02-2014 – Interview on Voice Of Russia Radio, London.
01-2014 – interview discussing my relocation to The Red October Studio, Russia.
11-2013 – interview with Blouin Arts, Moscow Arts Editor, Nastassia Astrasheuskaya.
10-2013 – Thames & Hudson publish 'Natre Morte' with texts by Dr Michael Petry.
08-2013 – interview with Moscow Times, Arts & Culture Editor Garrison Golubock 'Art & Russia'.
05-2013 - The Positive Arts whats 'Behind the art'.
05-2013 - interview with Charlotte Simmonds of New Statesman 'Painting with light'.
04-2013 – Aestetica Magazine explore the exhibition 'Intersection'
03-2013 – Article by Bob Chaundry, Arts Editor of the Huffington Post.
01-2013 – 'Dead Or Alive' Gavin Lucas, Editor of Creative Review deconstructs 'Glass'.
12-2012 – Sunday Telegraph Newspaper, 'Panorama In The Arts' Section explores 'Glass'.
03-2012 – 'Tokyo Taxi' a collection of photography & texts (1988 - 2012) published by Merrell.
09-2010 – AOP Association Of Photographers IMAGE Magazine; cover article exploring 'Fusion'.
06-2010 – academic text by John Routledge 'Fusion'.
03-2010 - LA TIMES magazine publish 'Tokyo Taxi'.
08-2009 - Creative Review publish a monograph book on 'Tokyo Taxi'.
02-2009 - DIF Magazine publish 'Tokyo Taxi'.
MEDIA LINKS (selected)
10-2023 - 'From water to the universe' cymatics & gravitational waves by Paul Carey-Kent.
08-2021 - Illustrated paper in conversation with author Emma Coccioli exploring 'Fusion'.
04-2019 - Sayan Arts Documentary Film I + Film II both exploring the Dark Vat artist residency.
03-2019 - Cultura24 meets the artists of the Dark Vat Artist Residency.
02-2017 - 'Studio as laboratory' published in issue 13 AfterNyne Magazine.
01-2016 – Artist residency film 'Shifting Parameters' released.
01-2016 – Artist residency film 'Water Light' released.
12-2015 – RTV Television Documentary 'Immersed in Moscow'.
05-2014 - BURO24 Arts Critic visits the studio of Rastvorennaya Pechal.
04-2014 – M24 Television interview ‘Rastvorennaya Pechal’ exhibition, Moscow.
02-2014 – Interview on Voice Of Russia Radio, London.
02-2014 – PRIVET Television interview from inside the ‘Red October’ studio. Moscow.
11-2014 – Interview with Laissez Faire Arts Editor Britt Pflüger 'Ophelia & The Chocolate Factory'.
12-2012 – 'Intersection' Film I, studio, London.
CATALOGUES (selected)
- ‘Transparency of a dream illuminated' 2024 catalogue
- 'Vanitas' 2024 catalogue
- 'Rastvyrennaya Pechal' 10 year anniversary catalogue
- ‘Cymatic Water & Light’ catalogue
- 'Dark Vat' limited edition book
- PhotoGrams donated to fund a community-led plastic recycling facility for remote island nations
- 'Death of the dream' exhibition catalogue
- 'All icons are false' exhibition catalogue
- 'OIL + WATER' catalogue of available works
- 'Rastvorennaya Pechal' exhibition catalogue (English & Russian text)
- 'Intersection' exhibition catalogue
- 'A beautiful announcement of death' exhibition catalogue
- 'Swarm' catalogue
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