About the artist:
Biography
Keith J. Hampton got his start in commercial art in 1977 at the age of 18, working in publishing, first at The Saturday Evening Post company and for two years at ICP as the company's magazine cover artist, creating cover illustrations for four quarterlies. At 25, he made his foray into marketing and advertising.
In 1995, he opened it'sALLart, a graphic design and fine art firm. He retired from advertising and design in 2017 to concentrate solely on painting and sculpting.
Though he had a long career in design, Hampton has been active in the fine art world for decades, showing at the IMA consignment gallery (1982, 1983) and at several regional art fairs (1995 thru 1999). In 2001 he had his first solo show of paintings in Fountain Square. In 2003 he opened the it'sALLart gallery in the same location. Two popular solo exhibitions showing that year helped his art become better known in the region. He later began to show in regional galleries including Closson's (Cincinnati), Ashwood Artisans (New York), Woodburn and Westcott (indianapolis), Sullivan Munce (Zionsville), Gallery 930 (Louisville) and in Carmel, with his "Feather & Brush" 2009 solo show. He has also shown his work in two other Carmel galleries and other retail locations in the Indianapolis area.
Hampton's work is purposely eclectic and embodies many art types, including realism, surrealism, impressionism, cubism, abstract expressionism and pointillism. He knowingly rejects the academic norm of steady progression in one style and pursues a multi-faceted approach, which more galleries now accept and buyers have always appreciated.
Sculpture:
In 2009, he began working in 3d, producing sculptures for "Feather & Brush" in various materials, including wood, steel, plastic and fabric. In 2010 he created a life-sized "Yeti" sculpture which won first place at KIBI and sold a day later.
In 2011, he created 20 realistic, mini house sculptures in ceramic for his "House Works" show. In 2015, he created new abstract sculptures featuring a curvilinear style, along with several vases featuring abstract images on one side, rendered in multi-color glazes.
For his "Automaticae" solo show in 2017, he showed an oversized wire sculpture, "Three Levels of Consciousness" and large concrete sculptures, "The Goddesses of Pangea", along with abstract tabletop sculptures in concrete and ceramic.
After 22 years, in 2017 Hampton announced his retirement from graphic design and closed his design business. He continues to paint and sculpt while living on a forested southern estate in Crawford County, Indiana.
Show History
2023
Solo show, "Particles of Change", Bourne-Schweitzer Gallery,
New Albany, IN.
2020
Annual Group Exhibition, Krempp Gallery, Jasper, IN
Winner of 3rd Place High Honor, "Sycamores"
2017
Solo show, "Automaticae", Gallery 924, Indianapolis
2015
Group Show, "Black Tie" Harrison Center for the Arts, Inpls.
Piece shown "Politics"
Solo Show "New Works" at Avalon Gallery in Zionsville
2014
"Cooper", 1 of 10 Public HighArt billboards chosen to rotate in various locations for one year, Indianapolis
Group Show, "Contemporary Landscape", Gallery 924, Indianapolis
2013
Group Show, "Gray Gardens" Harrison Center for the Arts, Indpls.
Group Show, "Tiny II" Gallery 924, Indianapolis
2012
Group Show, Gallery, Columbus, IN
2011
"HouseWorks" solo show, ArtSplash Gallery, Carmel, IN
2010
August, Group Exhibition, Re-Dome Project, "Yeti", First Place Winner, Indianapolis
January thru September: Closson's
2009
September: solo show, Feather & Brush Arts District Gallery, Carmel, IN
Throughout the year: Closson's, Cincinnati OH
2008
September: S.A.L.I. National Abstract Exhibition, Garfield Park, Indianapolis, work featured: "Pop Fly"
May thru July, Group Show, Hendricks Co. Fairgrounds Conference Center, various works
April, Life Canvas, Group Show, Sullivan-Munce Gallery , Zionsville, IN, piece shown: Goods in the City
April, Unusual Animals, Group Show, Gallery 930, Louisville, KY
piece shown: "Crows in the Corn":
February, Plainfield Library Gallery: Medium-Medium
Throughout: Closson's, Cincinnati and Ashwood Artisans, NY.
2007
January, (5th thru 18th), Recent Projects: Consumption, Harrison Arts Center, Gallery 2, juried show, showing of "Miami Alley"
February, charity auction for Indianapolis Film Festival, during Oscar Gala, donation of "Decision" and "Film Idol"
Throughout: Closson's, Cincinnati and Ashwood Artisans, NY.
September, S.A.L.I Midwest Abstract Exhibition at Garfield Park, Award of Merit for "Our Town", later purchased by Eli Lilly & Co.
2006
April, Contemporary Colorfiled Works, CCA Gallery, Zionsville, IN
May, Colorfield Works and Abstracts at Closson's Gallery of Fine Art, Cincinnati, OH
May (ongoing) various works, Ashwood Artisans, Aurora, NY
August thru October, Cityscapes and Other Works, solo show, Clowes Hall, Indianapolis
September/October, featured artist in Village of Westclay Luxury Showhome, Carmel, IN
2005
May, primitive piece "Life and Death" one of five works chosen by Indianapolis Arts Council projected on buildings in downtown Indianapolis.
July, Historica Textura, solo show at School 30
July, group show at ArtsGarden, Alphanumeric works.
2004
April, Show of Hands, group show, 2 works including piece entitled "Gospel According to Kline" Woodburn & Westcott Gallery, Indianapolis
October, Fall Show, solo show of paintings and blockprints Woodburn & Westcott Gallery, Indianapolis
2003
July, Creeks & Waterways, solo show at itsALLart gallery
Oct., In the Shade, blockprints, solo show at itsALLart gallery