Distil Ennui Studio™ est. 1990. underwater photographic artist exploring photography, sculpture, lighting & installation on issues of sustainability & ecocide
‘Grace’, 2010.
from the underwater series 'Vanitas'
underwater still life scene captured on analogue film
to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com
‘Constellation’
from the series 'Oil + Water' 2015
As the process of 'enthalpy of fusion' grips tighter on this 1000 kilogram ossuary of river water as it turns to ice. The crude oil within begins to explode with strange crystal formations, gas bubbles cracking their way outwards from the centre of the sculpture
200 x 150 cms unique chromogenic print
+II Artist Proofs (each a differing size and execution)
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CLICK HERE to view catalogue & texts
2012. ‘Veiled Skull with Flowers’
from the exhibition 'A beautiful announcement of death'
C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.
'snug' framed in a narrow sight edged deep walnut.
Edition of 3 in 40 x 30cms
Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms
2 Artists Proofs
to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com
'untitled 8055'
2009
from the series 'Fusion'
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‘Heraclius I’
from 'Rastvoyrennaya Pechal' (Dissolved Sadness) Moscow 2014
Unique C-Type print 25 x 29 cms
Framed in an 18th Century Baroque Russian Icon frame
overall size 67w x 71h x 15d
SOLD
+ II artist proofs (each a differing size and execution).
While bunkered underground in Moscow I recall creating this series in the most trying of conditions during winter. I recall the conviction needed to see the project through whilst everyone around was aghast with disbelief that I would even attempt such a thing.
This conviction in me is well founded in the belief that most photography we are surrounded by today is usually just looked at, and seldom looked into. Look at the things around you, the immediate world around you. If you are alive, it will mean something to you, and if you care enough about photography and know how to use it, you will want to represent that meaning through your eyes. If you let other people’s vision get between the world and your own, you will achieve that extremely common and worthless thing, a pictorial photograph.
detail of 'Elipse' from 'Rosae' underwater flower series
dated 2010
120 x 90 cms chromogenic print
Edition of 10
+II Artist Proofs (each a differing size and execution)
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The red rose, a symbol of unrelenting love is juxtaposed here against a deep dark void. These branded motifs are not created as an homage, but instead a social commentary. We ourselves seem to be drowning in a society that is dominated by a reverence towards the new religion of media, flocking to the church of brand and celebrity.
dated 2011
Underwater Chromogenic Print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.
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‘Morpho Amathonto 0220’, 2011.
from the underwater butterfly series 'Swarm'
C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.
Face mounted with museum grade anti-reflect acrylic.
'snug' framed in a narrow sight edged deep walnut.
Edition I: 40 x 40 edition of 10; LIMITED AVAILABILITY
Edition II: 60 x 60 edition of 10; SOLDOUT
Edition III: 160 x 160 edition of 10; SOLD OUT
2 Artists Proofs - No longer available.
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'Aberration No I' from the underwater butterfly series 'Transparency of a dream'
Chromogenic print, mounted to polished aluminium box framed behind museum anti-reflect glass.
160x160 cms unique chromogenic print
+II Artist Proofs (each a differing size and execution)
enquire about this artwork
CLICK HERE to view catalogue & texts
2014. ‘Jupiter’
from 'Rastvoyrennaya Pechal' (Dissolved Sadness) Moscow 2014
Alexander James Hamilton was the third British artist to host a solo exhibition at Triumph Gallery, Moscow; that being after Damien Hirst & the Chapman Brothers.
C-Type print
1 of 1 at 90 x 67 cms single edition artwork - SOLD
+II Artists Proofs (each a differing & unique size)
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'untitled 8280'
2009
from the series 'Fusion'
to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com
'Vitreous Love' from 'Glass'
dated 2012
Chromogenic print, mounted to polished aluminium, box framed behind ArtGlass.
flowers underwater
Edition of 10 in 60 x 60cms, 100 x 100cms & 140 x 140cms
+II Artist Proofs (each a differing size and execution)
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These works explore a process that removes the piment from flower petals, replacing the colour with highly purified water leaving only the glass like structure of skeletal veins visible.
2014. ‘Mycenaean I’
from 'Rastvoyrennaya Pechal'
Referencing the Greek civilisation and language of the Argolid Plains in Peloponnese. 1600 - 1100 BC.
Unique C-Type print 90 x 120 cms
+II Artists Proofs (each a differing & unique size)
2014. ‘Heraclius II’
from 'Rastvoyrennaya Pechal' (Dissolved Sadness) Moscow 2014
'Working with analogue camera equipment and without post production, his life long dedication to in-camera purity establishes it's provenance when linked to painstaking preparatory work.’ - Andrei Tolstoy, 2014.
Unique C-Type print 25 x 29 cms
Framed in an 18th Century Baroque Russian Icon frame SOLD
+ II Artist Proofs (each a differing size and execution)
‘Caligo Eurilochus’, 2011.
from 'Swarm' underwater butterfly series
Chromogenic print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.
Face mounted with museum grade anti-reflect acrylic.
'snug' framed in a narrow sight edged deep walnut.
Three editions of 10. 40 x 40, 60 x 60 & 160 x 160cms
+II Artist Proofs
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Untitled 6298
dated 2019.
Unique work on paper from the Siberian artist residency 'Dark Vat'
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In early 2019, artist Alexander James Hamilton opened a studio in a disused photographic paper factory located in Siberia that had been closed since the 1970's and called it 'Dark Vat'.
Central to the vast space a 120 square metre black water reflection pool was installed, surrounded by vaulted 5 metre black velvet walls. Classically trained ballet dancers were invited to interpret the Dark Vat in an intimate series of performances. The camera never looking directly at the dancers movement, just that of their reflections, shifting and ephemeral.
‘Untitled 0345’. A religious icon signified by a halo resting on a bed of flowers.
8 by 10 inch original transparency plate from 'A beautiful announcement of death'
hand formed solid gold halo, studio grown Lilac flowers
Unique Chromogenic print 60 x 60 cms
+ II artist proofs (each a differing size and execution).
artist quote from the series 'in conversation last night'
' I am not saying what is right or wrong, only what is right and wrong for me. There is no attempt to be fashionable here, just an unmitigated apathy towards mechanisation. '
One of the very first images from inside 'Renaciendo'. (Re-Born)
Along with sculptural works, large format photography (PhotoGrams) and a state of the art lighting system hand fabricated by the artist and donated for public bequest to the Convento de los Carmelitas; the last standing Baroque structure left standing in Spain. The building has remained closed to the public for over 170 years, the artist worked alone for over 3,000 hours to bring this project to life and save this important heritage site.
'Birthing place' creaed in the forests of Siberia.
from the series 'Oil + Water' 2015
Strange formations appear within the crude oil sealed in an ossuary of water.
As the form freezes Enthalpy of fusion takes over creating other worldly reactions.
60 x 60 cms unique chromogenic print - SOLD
mounted to hand polished aluminium 2mm sheet, signed and dated verso
framed in solid cold forged brass rails
+II Artist Proofs (each a differing size and execution)
enquire about this artwork
CLICK HERE to view catalogue & texts
'Dark Matter' Siberia.
from the photography series 'Oil + Water' 2015
120 x 90 cms unique chromogenic print - SOLD
mounted to hand polished aluminium 3mm sheet, signed and dated reverso
framed in solid cold forged brass rails
+II Artist Proofs (each a differing size and execution)
enquire about this artwork
CLICK HERE to view catalogue & texts
'Ptolemy' Siberia.
from the series 'Oil + Water' 2015
Sculpture of a sphere of frozen crude oil entombed in an ossuary of river water created & left installaed in the winter forests of Siberia.
60 x 60 cms unique chromogenic print - SOLD
Unique C-Type print, mounted to 3mm aluminium, signed and dated reverso
framed in solid cold forged brass rails
+II Artist Proofs (each a differing size and execution)
enquire about this artwork
CLICK HERE to view catalogue & texts
‘Dream of democracy’ Plate 0180 - STUDIO PROOF
from the exhibition 'Death of the dream'
dated 2017
unique 59.4 x 33.3 cms chromogenic print & oil
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Installation view of 'Transparency of a dream illuminated'
museum standard black cotton velvet conservation frames
using backlit panels hand made by the artist
works created 2014, seen here in 2017 at the exhibition
'Death of the dream' with Dellasposa Gallery.
CLICK HERE to view catalogue & texts
detail of 'Chanel' from 'Rosae' underwater floral brand series.
dated 2010
120 x 90 cms chromogenic print
Edition of 10
+II Artist Proofs (each a differing size and execution)
enquire about this artwork
The red rose, a symbol of unrelenting love is juxtaposed here against a deep dark void. These branded motifs are not created as an homage, but instead a social commentary. We ourselves seem to be drowning in a society that is dominated by a reverence towards the new religion of media, flocking to the church of brand and celebrity.
‘Emperor's Truth’, 2010.
Underwater still life photograph with peaches, apples & pears in fine porcelain bowl.
from the series 'Vanitas'
C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.
to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com
‘Witness’ Martyred Ophelia. Dated 2012.
from the exhibition 'A beautiful announcement of death'
C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.
Face mounted with museum grade anti-reflect acrylic.
'snug' framed in a narrow sight edged deep walnut.
180 cm x 135 cm Edition of II - SOLD OUT
2 Artists Proofs
CLICK HERE to read the exhibition catalogue
detail of 'untitled plate 5-2764' from 'Glass'
Underwater flower series captured on camera
160 x 160 cms unique chromogenic print
+II Artist Proofs (each a differing size and execution)
enquire about this artwork
These works explore a process that removes the piment from flower petals, replacing the colour with highly purified water leaving only the glass like structure of skeletal veins visible.
'Dream of democracy’ Plate 0180
dated 2017
from the exhibition 'Death of the dream'
unique 145 x 80 cms backlit print
Framed behind museum glass in walnut & bedded in black cotton velvet
175w x 110h x 7d cms framed
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Frequency Resurrection, 2010
from the series 'Vanitas'
to enquire about this piece please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com
Plate No. 4206 [Latitude 5.110168 Longitude 73.076008]
dated 2019
from the series 'Ocean Paintings'
Ocean Painting. definition... offshore currents act like brushstrokes on a meticulously prepared scene; what is brought about by the ocean, wind and the abundant life of the Baa Atoll is falling towards something otherworldly.
Unique Print
Baa Atoll, Maldives
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‘Riverbrook with Roses' 2012
from the exhibition 'A beautiful announcement of death'
C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.
Face mounted with museum grade anti-reflect acrylic.
'snug' framed in a narrow sight edged deep walnut.
160 cm x 80 cm edition of 2... sold out
2 Artists Proofs
Click here to read the exhibition catalogue
to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com
Plate 0469-1.1' 2016
from 'All icons are false'
unique artist archival hand print 60 x 42 cms
float mounted above museum board
box framed in hand stained & waxed English Ash
behind museum art glass
+II Artist Proofs (each a differing size and execution)
enquire about this artwork
CLICK HERE to view exhibition catalogue with texts by Paul Carey-Kent.
'Plate 0336-9' 2016
from 'All icons are false'
floral abstractions bursting across this unique work on paper
unique artist archival hand print 60 x 42 cms
float mounted above museum board
box framed in hand stained & waxed English Ash
behind museum art glass
+II Artist Proofs (each a differing size and execution)
enquire about this artwork
CLICK HERE to view exhibition catalogue with texts by Paul Carey-Kent.
'Plate 0305-8.3' 2016
from 'All icons are false'
"I am only satisfied when I cannot distinguish whether I am looking at a painting or a photograph" artist quote from manifesto
unique artist archival hand print 60 x 42 cms
float mounted above museum board
box framed in hand stained & waxed English Ash
behind museum art glass
+II Artist Proofs (each a differing size and execution)
enquire about this artwork
CLICK HERE to view exhibition catalogue with texts by Paul Carey-Kent.
'Plate 0261-8' 2016
from 'All icons are false'
unique artist archival hand print 60 x 42 cms
float mounted above museum board
box framed in hand stained & waxed English Ash
behind museum art glass
+II Artist Proofs (each a differing size and execution)
enquire about this artwork
CLICK HERE to view exhibition catalogue with texts by Paul Carey-Kent.
'Dream of democracy’, 2017.
from the exhibition 'Death of the dream'
collection of 9 unique works in 3 x 3 grid formation
9 Unique 59.4 x 33.3 cms chromogenic hand prints, over painted in oils
each mounted to hand finished 2mm aluminium plate
works are hung in 3x3 grid with central work (Plate 0180) inverted
each is signed, dated & annotated reverso
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No. 119 [Latitude 5.392977 Longitude 72.979620. Baa Atol, Maldives]
from 'Visions from the shoreline'. 2017-18
Unique photogram transfer mounted to recycled aluminium plate
from the series 'Visions from the shoreline'
Signed, annotated and dated by the artist in black pen, lower left on verso.
60 (h) x 42 (w) cm (23.6 x 16.5 in.)
No. 100 [Latitude 5.094434 Longitude 73.061980. Baa Atol, Maldives]
from 'Visions from the shoreline'. 2017-18
Unique photogram transfer mounted to recycled aluminium plate
from the series 'Visions from the shoreline'
Signed, annotated and dated by the artist in black pen, lower left on verso.
60 (h) x 42 (w) cm (23.6 x 16.5 in.)
Plate No. 100 [Latitude 5.116424 Longitude 73.072618. Baa Atol, Maldives]
from 'Visions from the shoreline'. 2017-18
Unique photogram transfer mounted to recycled aluminium plate
from the series 'Visions from the shoreline'
Signed, annotated and dated by the artist in black pen, lower left on verso.
60 (h) x 42 (w) cm (23.6 x 16.5 in.)
+II Artist Proofs (each a differing size and execution)
enquire about this artwork
from 'Visions from the shoreline'. 2017-18
framing execution of PhotoGram artworks donated to Soneva Foundation to fund plastic recycling facility in the Maldives
Unique 8 * 10 inch photogram transfer to archival FujiTrans print
mounted to museum glass and illuminated by archival light panel
Signed and dated by artist in black pen on verso
Unique Studio Proof (1/1 SP)
Framed: 40.5 x 34.5 x 5 cm (16 x 13.5 x 2 in)
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'untitled 8080'
2009
from the series 'Fusion'
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Plate No. 085 [Latitude 5.116424 Longitude 73.072618. Baa Atol, Maldives]
from 'Visions from the shoreline'. 2017-18
Unique photogram transfer mounted to recycled aluminium plate
from the series 'Visions from the shoreline'
Signed, annotated and dated by the artist in black pen, lower left on verso.
60 (h) x 42 (w) cm (23.6 x 16.5 in.)
+II Artist Proofs (each a differing size and execution)
enquire about this artwork
Plate No. 4215 [Latitude 5.110168 Longitude 73.076008]
dated 2019
from the series 'Ocean Paintings'
Ocean Painting. definition... offshore currents act like brushstrokes on a meticulously prepared scene; what is brought about by the ocean, wind and the abundant life of the Baa Atoll is falling towards something otherworldly.
Unique Print
Baa Atoll, Maldives
enquire about this artwork
from the series 'Ocean Paintings'
Ocean Painting. definition... offshore currents act like brushstrokes on a meticulously prepared scene; what is brought about by the ocean, wind and the abundant life of the Baa Atoll is falling towards something otherworldly.
Unique Print
Plate No. 3950 [Latitude 5.110168 Longitude 73.076008]
Baa Atoll, Maldives
enquire about this artwork
Early 2019 Alexander James Hamilton hosted an artist residency for 15 artists in an old disused photographic paper factory in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia; the project was called 'Dark Vat'
At the end of the 8 week residency a public exhibition opened to critical acclaim with over 3,000 public visitors to the space in just 6 days.
Here resident artist Inna Shestakova is working inside the 'Dark Vat' to prepare a holographic film projection that was presented floating above a 120 sqm black water reflection pool; working with Alexander James Hamilton as a resident artist in a disused photographic paper factory.
Unique copper plate print
The mirror of the goddess - 1219-14 - view in the ONLINE STORE
Each piece is a unique 10 x 10 cm chromogenic print mounted onto 100% pure recycled copper plate, museum varnished; all the elements for which are produced in the studio by the artists own hand.
Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 0.15 cms
'society is in need of a spiritual re-awakening with nature' Alexander James Hamilton.
'Fusion' can be seen to reference contemporary environmental concerns - representing the destruction and havoc we are inflicting on nature and our planet as a species. This series was started as a direct protest at the BP Oil disaster where 5 million barrels of oil poured into the Golf of Mexico 20th April 2010. The gusher that was left behind after the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded and sank is still leaking to this date.
Untitled 01520, dated 2020.
from the series 'Fusion' 2008-2020
please visit the journal to explore about this and the many other environmental projects.
to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com
‘The Great Leveller’, 2010.
from the series 'Vanitas'
underwater momento mori photograph
skull tulips in glass vase and butterfly on marble bench.
C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.
to enquire about this piece contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com
‘Isis Bound’, 2010.
from the series 'Vanitas'
underwater sculptural scene of wild roses and butterfly photographed on analogue film
C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.
to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com
‘Turned From Heaven's Door’ 2012
from the exhibition 'A beautiful announcement of death'
C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.
'snug' framed in a narrow sight edged deep walnut.
180 cm x 135 cm edition of 2
2 Artists Proofs
Click here to read the exhibition catalogue
to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com
untitled vintage print (dated 2010) mounted in 2021 to gesso prepared board
print & mount size 22 x 29.5 x 3cms (8 3/4 x 11 1/2 inches)
presented in artist made Japanese burn preserved 'Shou Sugi Ban' chemical free Ceder frame
made from natural axe harvested & 'air' kiln dried Cedar wood - no carbon footprint.
32 x 39.5 x 3cms (12 1/2 x 15 1/2 inches) in the frame
finished in shellac
initialled, dated and annotation notes verso in ink
unique piece GBP £1,600 - delivery instructions taken once sale is complete.
visit the online store to purchase this piece
enquire about this work here
untitled vintage print (dated 2014) mounted in 2021 to gesso prepared board
print & mount size 22 x 29.5 x 3cms (8 3/4 x 11 1/2 inches)
presented in artist made Japanese burn preserved 'Shou Sugi Ban' chemical free Ceder frame
made from natural axe harvested & 'air' kiln dried Cedar wood - no carbon footprint.
32 x 39.5 x 3cms (12 1/2 x 15 1/2 inches) in the frame
finished in shellac
initialled, dated and annotation notes verso in ink
unique piece GBP £1,600 - delivery instructions taken once sale is complete.
visit the online store to purchase this piece
enquire about this work here
The images used in this design are all underwater analogue photographic plates
originating from the series 'Swarm' dated 2008-2012
and 'Transparency of a dream' dated 2013-2016.
These butterflies are reared from pupae in the studio
You can find original works available at the Distil Ennui Studio ™ ONLINE SHOP
Browse other design projects here
Please contact the studio for more info - info (at) Distil Ennui . com
or - register for email updates HERE
Untitled 01566, dated 2020.
'Fusion' can be seen to reference contemporary environmental concerns, representing the destruction and havoc we are inflicting on nature and our planet as a species. This series was started as a direct protest at the BP Oil disaster where 5 million barrels of oil poured into the Golf of Mexico 20th April 2010. The gusher that was left behind after the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded and sank is still leaking to this date.
Photographed on Sinar camera, Rodenstock 300 mm lens loaded with 8*10 inch transparency film. Hand processed in the studio and presented as shot without post production.
please visit the journal to explore about this and the many other environmental projects.
to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com
