Lorie Hamermesh Into the Fire
At Gallery NAGA
By: NAGA - Apr 30, 2026
Gallery NAGA presents Into the Fire, a solo exhibition by Lorie Hamermesh, running from May 8 to June 5 at 67 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116. A public opening reception will be held on Saturday, May 9, from 1 to 3 pm.
Into the Fire represents a thematic departure from Hamermesh's past body of work, Desire/Shame, and focuses on the passage of time and the process of aging. This most recent body of work reveals a more meditative approach to the subject matter while maintaining Hamermesh's signature uncanny style and use of the printmaking process.
Throughout her practice, at different degrees of directness, Hamermesh has explored the themes of identity, repressed sexuality, childhood trauma, objectification, and the lasting impact of societal expectations women are conditioned to fulfill. Into the Fire maintains the use of Hamermesh's referential imagery (a white gown, a cut flower, dogs, or wolves, running) but elicits a subtly different emotional response: compassion and lyricism, a projection of quiet strength and perseverance.
Into the Fire features an entirely new element to Hamermesh's recent practice: an image of a luscious layer cake. This is where the series gets its title: the cakes are lit with a seemingly infinite number of candles, some burning bright and festive, others taking on a fireworks-like dimension, if not that of a real fire taking shape. The cakes appear in a variety of colors: white, purple, pink, chartreuse. They are adorned with elements that may hint at the occasion: florals, colored candy, and pearl beads. Some appear inviting, while others are ominous. There is a perception that they serve as a metaphor for something other than a natural passage of time, as we notice the sickly green sparks rise into the air, images of ravens superimposed, or the mesmerizing strength of a fire forming atop the gâteau. When comparing the advancement of her life to the candles on the cake, Lorie Hamermesh says, "The fire does not fade with time but intensifies to reveal passion and contradiction."
Into the Fire preserves a sense of playfulness through the use of imagery that hints at being self-referential: mirroring one's life presented as a reflection of a hand-held mirror, pointed directly at the viewer, and through the artwork titles, named after the rock and roll songs of Hamermesh's youth (the soundtrack of her life, per the artist's statement), that often clash with and contrast the image.
The Back Room will feature Noted, a solo exhibition by Elisa H. Hamilton, a socially engaged multimedia artist focused on the examination of everyday objects, experiences, and shared spaces. Noted is Hamilton's exploration of the disappearing art of the handwritten note; the exhibition presents quotes from the writers and writings that have stayed with the artist.