Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art Opens On the Edge: The Abstract World of Frederick Hammersley

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NORMAN, Okla. – The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art at the University of Oklahoma is pleased to present On the Edge: The Abstract World of Frederick Hammersley, on view through September 6. The exhibition traces the artist’s dive into abstraction as a new way of creating art through shape, color, and intuition.

Frederick Hammersley was a key figure in the West Coast’s Hard-edge painting movement, a mid-century abstract style defined by precise geometric compositions and a focus on the interaction of color and clearly defined shapes. Yet his work also explored how simple shapes could carry emotion, wit, and an element of surprise.

Celebrated for his abstract works, Hammersley’s paintings offered a distinctly structured approach to abstraction during the mid-twentieth century. In 1959, he received recognition as one of the four artists featured in the landmark exhibition Four Abstract Classicists.

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1919, Hammersley studied in Idaho and Los Angeles before serving in World War II, where he continued his artistic education while stationed in Paris. After returning to the United States, he resumed his studies under the GI Bill. He had a career teaching art, first in California and later in New Mexico. He settled in Albuquerque, where he continued to paint until he died in 2009.

“We are excited to bring On the Edge to our community,” said Thomas Smith, Wylodean and Bill Saxon Director of the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. “Hammersley’s work encourages close looking and thoughtful engagement, giving visitors an opportunity to experience abstraction in meaningful and accessible ways.”

This exhibition features more than 45 paintings and drawings on loan from the Hugon Collection, offering a focused look at Hammersley’s distinctive style and artistic process. The presentation highlights the breadth of his experimentation and the balance of discipline and playfulness that characterizes his work. Grouped into three series that defined his career (hunch paintings, geometrics, and organics), this exhibition explores the artist’s approach to making art that encourages visitors to slow down and engage with a spirit of play.

“What’s wonderful about working with the Hugon Collection is that it spans Hammersley’s entire career, giving us a rare opportunity to follow his creative process into abstraction completely,” said Curatorial Fellow Jonathan Hacker. “Because Hammersley was very aware of what was being created around him, we were able to make connections between his work and works from our permanent collection to explore what made him distinct from other artists at the time.”

Exhibition programming will include Spotlight events, a curator talk, and painting workshops with a local artist. Event dates and additional information will be available at fjjma.ou.edu.

On the Edge: The Abstract World of Frederick Hammersley will be on view through September 6.

This exhibition is organized by the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art and supported by the Hugon Family and generous donors to the museum’s endowment.

The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art is located in the OU Arts District on the corner of Elm Avenue and Boyd Street, at 555 Elm Ave., on the OU Norman campus. For more information about this exhibition or visitor accommodations, call (405) 325-4938 or visit fjjma.ou.edu.