Luke Hammond

Bio

Luke Hammond is an Australian neuroscience imaging specialist and contemporary jeweler based in New York City. An exhibition development award (QCA/Flying Arts) allowed him to present his first solo exhibition of jewelry and silver sculptures, In This Unfolding, at the Queensland College of Art in 2015. The success of this exhibition led to continued opportunities to bridge art and science. His carefully detailed fine jewelry and objects exploring the invisible worlds within have been exhibited internationally.

In the studio, Luke draws upon silver and goldsmithing techniques to translate the dynamic processes observed in nature at the macro and micro scales into intricate precious metal forms. Combing lost wax casting with hand fabrication, and precision stone setting methods allows him to bring these objects to life. His collections comprise carefully created fine jewelry and objects that reimagine biological form to explore themes of impermanence, consciousness, and connection between all living things.

Luke also has an extensive background in biomedical research. In 2017, after establishing a world-leading advanced imaging facility at the University of Queensland's Queensland Brain Institute, he transitioned to Columbia University's Zuckerman Mind Brain and Behaviour Institute. Here he is the Director of Cellular Imaging, a new platform for state-of-the-art light microscopy in neuroscience. His work involves exploring the unseen worlds within the body and brain and developing new software tools to understand the beautiful and complex images created in this process. He has published and collaborated on projects related to consciousness, movement, pain, Alzheimer’s disease, Schizophrenia, and other themes in neuroscience. Inspired by this work, his organic designs draw on biophilia and our innate attraction to living systems to encourage reflection on what lies below the surface of our beings. Moreover, by working between the worlds of art and science, he has been able to facilitate public engagement with advanced neuroscience.

CV