The Tremaine Art Gallery opened Dialogue: Art in Conversation by Valerie Hammond and Tate Klacsmann ’01 on April 6.

Ms. Joan Baldwin, curator of special collections, included Hammond’s and Klacsmann’s work in an exhibition called Fragmentary Blue in 2021. She noticed that Klacksmann’s “Blue Swallows with Black Moths” and Hammond’s “Spectre with Threads” complimented each other in their use of fine handmade paper, blue motifs, and delicate lines. Ms. Baldwin said, “I remember thinking, there’s a lot going on here, and I wondered if they would do a show together.”

Ms. Baldwin reached out to the artists and also invited Ms. Ann Villano, instructor in photography, film, and related media, and her upper-level film students to interview the artists and film them in their studios, which they did in the fall of 2022.

Videos shot by Anika Balwada ’23, Harry Morelli ’23, and Doug Wang ’23 are featured alongside the works in the gallery to help viewers understand Hammond’s and Klacsmann’s processes and the concepts behind their work.

While each artist has a distinct aesthetic, their works are placed side-by-side in Dialogue. Ms. Baldwin said, “I hope visitors will watch the videos and recognize the parallels in both artists’ practice, and enjoy the way the exhibit’s mythical landscape speaks. It’s an exhibit that deserves some slow looking so with careful examination you can hear what’s being said.”

Hammond and Klacsmann both use printmaking in their works. Klacsmann marbles his handmade paper and Hammond uses a complex indigo dye process for some of her work.

Both artists often focus on the environment and the natural world. Klacsmann said, “To me, animals clearly have a consciousness. I think that’s fascinating, because there’s nothing that you can do to really know what their interior life is like. Art can let you imagine what they might be doing, in a way.”

Hammond also incorporates the environment into her artwork. Of particular interest are her three sculptures made out of wasp nests. Much of her work is printed on or made with delicate handmade paper. A few years ago, after struggling with the paper, she realized that wasps make perfect, durable paper and her exploration evolved into these sculptures.

Hammond said, “The environment is something that excites me and I wanted to explore that. I think it actually changes and informs your brain. I feel like I’m always looking for that type of thing when creating art.” Hammond’s recent work explores the intersections of the forms of goddesses with the natural world.

Klacsmann and Hammond joined students in their classes last week. Hammond instructed Prep studio art students how to make books. Klacsmann joined Director of Studio Art and Tremaine Gallery Ms. Terri Moore’s Lower Mid class to give a demonstration on marbling, a monotype process that he incorporates into his work.

Studio art students also attended a panel talk moderated by Ms. Baldwin on April 11.

Parth Khera ’26, who attended the artists’ talk, said, “Hearing the artists talk about their experiences gave me a deeper understanding of their art. For an amateur artist, it’s super interesting to see professionals at work. I was particularly impressed by how creative they were with the materials they used.”

The exhibit will be open through June 2, 2024.