COHFA | Writing Your Obsessions: Poetry and Research

Kentucky Bound: Poetic Impressions of Victor Hammer

Presenter Information

Shannon DavisFollow

Academic Level at Time of Presentation

Senior

Major

Bachelors of Integrated Studies

Minor

Creative Writing

List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)

Dr. Carrie Jerrell

Presentation Format

Oral Presentation

Abstract/Description

Kentucky Bound: Poetic Impressions of Victor Hammer

Abstract

Austrian-born artist, Victor Hammer, was a Kentuckian. His talent and craftsmanship bled into many different mediums, but he excelled at the craft of printmaking and typography. As immigrants, the Hammers escaped Austria before Hitler and the German army claimed the country as their own. After arriving in the United States, Hammer served as an art professor at Wells College in New York. While at Wells, he established the Hammer Press.

In 1948, he and his family settled in Lexington, Kentucky. During the next twenty years, Hammer inspired new generations of printers, book binders, and artisanal paper makers. His unique impression carries on in Kentucky. Kentucky actively embraced these exiles of war and the results enriched our culture.

In researching this topic, the wormhole opened in Eastern Kentucky, and time-warped me back to the invention of the printing press in the 15th century. The focus of this presentation will highlight Hammer’s statement as an artist, his views on freedom, and the lasting imprint he made on Kentucky's renowned folk art culture. The life of Victor Hammer inspired me to write three types of poems: Narrative, Specific, and Contextual. I will choose one of each type to discuss.

Keywords: Kentucky Arts and Crafts, Artesian, Print Press, Typography, Victor Hammer, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Transylvania University, Immigrant Artists, Kentucky Arts, Kentucky, Thomas Merton, Free Press,

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OTHER Affiliation

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ENG 561

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Kentucky Bound: Poetic Impressions of Victor Hammer

Kentucky Bound: Poetic Impressions of Victor Hammer

Abstract

Austrian-born artist, Victor Hammer, was a Kentuckian. His talent and craftsmanship bled into many different mediums, but he excelled at the craft of printmaking and typography. As immigrants, the Hammers escaped Austria before Hitler and the German army claimed the country as their own. After arriving in the United States, Hammer served as an art professor at Wells College in New York. While at Wells, he established the Hammer Press.

In 1948, he and his family settled in Lexington, Kentucky. During the next twenty years, Hammer inspired new generations of printers, book binders, and artisanal paper makers. His unique impression carries on in Kentucky. Kentucky actively embraced these exiles of war and the results enriched our culture.

In researching this topic, the wormhole opened in Eastern Kentucky, and time-warped me back to the invention of the printing press in the 15th century. The focus of this presentation will highlight Hammer’s statement as an artist, his views on freedom, and the lasting imprint he made on Kentucky's renowned folk art culture. The life of Victor Hammer inspired me to write three types of poems: Narrative, Specific, and Contextual. I will choose one of each type to discuss.

Keywords: Kentucky Arts and Crafts, Artesian, Print Press, Typography, Victor Hammer, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Transylvania University, Immigrant Artists, Kentucky Arts, Kentucky, Thomas Merton, Free Press,