Local Artist Lowdown: Sarah Hammond
Instagram: svrvhrvin
Astrological sign: Sagittarius
How long have you lived in Oxford? A little over 4 years now
Artistic Style: The best way I can describe it is portraiture mixed with surrealism and abstract elements
Favorite project you’ve completed? So far, my undergraduate thesis!
Where can we see your art on display I have a few pieces in the student summer show in Meek 130 on campus!
Early art experience Watching television and drawing and creating my own characters to fit within the show
Favorite medium Any type of paint
Favorite artistic tool or implement? Wood carving tools
Favorite artists? Frida Kahlo, Gustav Klimt, Alexandra Levasseur, Tomokazu Matsuyama,
Where do you get the inspiration for your art? Mostly my imagination and dreams, but I also find myself being inspired right after watching a great tv show or movie.
Most productive hours/environment? I’d say either during the day from 2 pm to 6 pm or unfortunately around 1 am.
Do you have a studio? If so, where is it located I have a small one located in my dining room area right now, haha, but that’s not a permanent situation.
Do you have a “day job”? If so, where I’m in transition of moving cities at the moment so no real day job, but I do occasionally work on the square and events for the Oxford Photobomb booth 🙂
Favorite bands? Grimes, Joywave, Metric, Foals are some consistent ones. My taste in music changes weekly.
Favorite books/authors? The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
What are some of your other hobbies Dancing and finding new places to explore
How has being from the South influenced your work? Being from the South is a major influence in my work. I’m from southern Louisiana and was raised Catholic, so almost every portrait I make, intentional or not, has religious themes imbedded in them. I also like to make really fun and expressive work that isn’t limited in its materials or limited to any style of art. I think that’s pretty indicative of Southern art. I’d also like to give credit to our insane heat here. The heat has forced me to go inside and actually make work along with forcing me to be impatient and be as expressive as possible.
What do you love about Oxford, and what do you wish would change? I love how simple Oxford is. I’m allowed the opportunity to be surrounded by people of all sorts of backgrounds while still having that down to earth feeling small towns can offer. The only change I would make is that I wish Oxford would put more emphasis on visual arts, of course. Oxford is largely known for it’s literature and music scenes, but I think it would be great if visual arts or even performing arts could have just as much emphasis. 
About the Author
TLV News The Local Voice is a bimonthly entertainment guide and newspaper based in Oxford, Mississippi, covering and distributed in North Central Mississippi, including Oxford, Ole Miss, Taylor, Abbeville, Water Valley, Lafayette County, Yalobusha County, and parts of Panola County, Marshall County, and Tupelo . The Local Voice is distributed free to over 255 locations in North Mississippi and also available as a full color PDF download worldwide on the internet.
Related Posts
Saturday, June 3, 2023: Food & Drink Specials + Entertainment in Oxford, Mississippi →
City of Oxford, Mississippi Board of Aldermen Meeting Agenda – Tuesday, June 6, 2023 →
Square Books Jr. Celebrates 20th Birthday with Prizes, Giveaways, and Special Events Every Saturday in June 2023 →
