Since 2003 Michelle Hamer has worked as a visual artist using hand-stitched tapestries on perforated plastic canvas as a way to explore the small in-between moments of apparent ‘nothingness’ that permeate everyday life. Informed by her background in architecture, her work focuses on signage within urban landscapes. She is particularly interested in margins of error; contemporary edicts/societal rules; interstitial and impermanent spaces as represented through freeway signage and billboards.

Tapestrying began as a way for her to explore the limitations of being house bound for seven years with a chronic illness .The tapestries capture small intense sped-up moments travelling between health practitioners and home. Beginning to enjoy a slow recovery, Michelle continues to use this traditional technique to explore an ironic romanticism present between tapestry and the digitalisation of imagery in contemporary society.

Following an overwhelmingly positive response at the 2004 ACCA Curatorial Clinic from a panel including Juliana Engberg, in less than 18 months Michelle Hamer received a Australia Council and Arts Victoria grants; had four solo exhibitions; partaken in numerous group shows; received a number of glowing reviews including by Sunday arts ABC TV and Robert Nelson – arts critic for ‘The Age’.

Michelle Hamer has works in private collections in Melbourne, Brisbane, New York, Beijing, London and has recently shown as part of ‘Echo –sounding out Contemporary Photography’ a corporate show, curated by CCP (Centre for Contemporary Photography), at Deloitte’s Consulting. She has just been shortlisted for the Sunshine Coast Regional Gallery, New Social Commentaries (Warrnambool) and The Alice art prizes in 2008.