Phantasmal Gallery
Phantasmal Gallery
Hermit Gammon
abandonment
150cmx150cm
Clay picnic installation expressing abandonment, yet celebrating my love for picnics, alongside the grossness of the bugs, dirt and stickiness that can come with eating outside.
Beetle in the Scrum
Hermit Gammon is an anxious waitress, whose struggle highlights themes of anxiety and people-pleasing within the chaotic world of hospitality. The performance transforms the installation into a fever dream-like experience, where the costumed character navigates the surreal dining scenario. By presenting the food sculptures in both conventional and unconventional manners, the performance amplifies the overstimulation with movement and sound, creating a dynamic experience that engages viewers in a fantastical, yet relatable narrative.
A performance piece, 10 minutes long.
A Little Bit About The Artist
A Statement From The Artist
Harriet Hammond has recently finished studying Fine Art at Central Saint Martins, London. Some recent group exhibitions include ‘Papillon’ at Daston Den, (2023) ‘OFFPRINT’ at the Tate Modern (2024) and ‘RIPOSTE dinner party rave’ at Electrowerkz (2024). She was also shortlisted for the Cass Art prize in 2024.
My work involves clay sculpture, performance and video, usually containing a spillage of bright colours. I use animals, food, bugs and made-up characters to depict themes of surrealism, chaos, hierarchy, class, nostalgia, consumption and neurodivergence
Tell us about a dream you've had.​
A reoccurring dream I have is where my teeth fall out and I’m in public trying to remain calm, but I can feel my teeth wobbling, getting yanked out and then the bloody holes left as I run my tongue around the wet and lumpy gaps. I also get a lot of dreams where I'm working in hospitality and struggling with catering to customers and then will usually jump to me suddenly drowning before I awake.
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What's your favourite movie or tv show?
​Right now my favourite tv show is inside number 9.
​​​​What is your biggest influence on your practice?
My biggest influence on my practice is things that I see in daily life/on the internet as well as set design. I enjoy theatre and stop motion/Claymation, especially when there are obvious cuts. I am inspired by the puppet-like movements, imperfections, sound effects, strange storylines and the uncanny feeling created by thigs that look real but aren’t quite right.
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