The Hilbert Museum is thrilled to announce the newest addition to the Hilbert Collection: “Holly” by acclaimed California artist Bradford J. Salamon.
“Holly” was created on multiple sheets of vellum by the right-handed artist taking a drafting pencil into his left hand (due to an injury to his right hand) – and measures 95 x 84 inches on 14 sheets of vellum, which is plant-based material that has been bleached.
“Holly” is one of a series of portraits of women, “Visages on Vellum,” that Salamon is creating in this technique. “This series is a way to pay tribute to the women in the world,” says Salamon in a short EMS film. An accomplished portraitist, Salamon combines traditional techniques with documentation to capture the nuances of character, choosing to focus always on people he highly admires.
In addition to his well-known portraits, Salamon is also known for his depictions of everyday objects including old glass bottles and out-of-date sewing machines. Laden with story-telling potential, these seemingly mundane objects take on a new life in Salamon’s art. They stimulate both the artist and the viewer to see the world through new lenses. In addition to art, Salamon is also a sculptor, short filmmaker, curator and musician. View more of Bradford J. Salamon’s work on his website.
This large-scale portrait will be exhibited prominently in the Hilbert Museum’s planned expansion. Welcome, Holly!
