What did you give? What did you receive?

Walter Lobyn Hamilton What I Have You Have poses these two questions in the new exhibition by Walter Lobyn Hamilton, a locally based and nationally acclaimed vinyl record artist. The exhibition, which opened on August 26, 2023 and will remain on view in the IMA Galleries through May 19, 2024, is a visual memoir of the artist’s life and features six monumental ‘flags’ made of vinyl records, record players, and album covers.

What I Have You Have is a simple and powerful meditative exercise. Hamilton expertly blends music’s nostalgic power with beautiful design. His flags are visual autobiographies, but he intentionally designed them to resonate with visitors as well. Hamilton takes care to represent himself and the people who view his work authentically, “We all are connected in some way, shape or form,” Hamilton said. “What I Have You Have is how I remember certain connections and how I visually express the multitude of expressions or contradictions of our collective and individual experiences.”

One of the flags in the exhibition, titled, One Nation Under a Groove Box Set, Vol. 2, is a soundtrack to his life—nearly 40 years of pop hits, rap, Disney, rock, you name it, but no matter who you are, you will find yourself transported to your own memory of a certain song. The series emphasizes our commonality while acknowledging our different perspectives.

The physical exhibition space, in The Gerald and Dorit Paul Galleries on Floor 3 of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, is purposefully minimal and confidently lets each flag command its own space. The artist worked with the interpretation team at Newfields to design an experience that gently nudges guests toward reflection without being overly prescriptive. There is only one brief label on the wall that lists key words to consider like passion, family, culture, and value.

Hamilton was born in Indianapolis in 1985 and has lived and worked in the Brookside neighborhood for most of his life.  In addition to his visual artwork, he is also a professional DJ and the founder of B-SIDE Creative Campus which is the culmination of all of his loves—music, community, and visual arts.

What I Have You Have extends beyond the walls of the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields. Continue your exploration in these arts destinations throughout Indianapolis:

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra: Uncharted Series Kendrick Lamar x StarvinskyNovember 8 at 7:30 PM Tickets are on sale now. Newfields members receive 20% off single tickets / Bring your Uncharted Series Kendrick Lamar x Stravinsky program to Newfields for free general admission to What I Have You Have 

The Indianapolis Central Library has a Listening Lounge where you can listen to a curated collection of albums on a record player and a digital “juuk” box. The library is dear to Walter Lobyn Hamilton as it hosted his first major showcase.

The University of Indianapolis will host a showcase that highlights the evolution of Walter Lobyn Hamilton’s flags and their direct impact on the development of B-SIDE Creative Campus. The student focused installation is designed to illuminate the career journey of an artist.

What I Have You Have is guest curated by the anonymous curatorial collection Sheba Kane and is open now through May 19, 2024 in the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields. Tickets are included with general admission and free for members.

Image Credits:
Walter Lobyn Hamilton (American, b. 1985), Rock and Roll: I Wonder What Happened to the Girl Who Said I Listened to White Music, 2021, wood, vinyl records, vinyl albums, record player, 15.75ft wide x 7.5ft tall x 6in deep. Loan from the artist. © Walter Lobyn Hamilton

Walter Lobyn Hamilton (American, b. 1985), DNA, 2023, wood, vinyl records, vinyl albums, record player, 12.9ft wide x 7.5ft tall x 6in deep. Loan from the artist. © Walter Lobyn Hamilton. 

Installation view of Walter Lobyn Hamilton What I Have You Have in The Gerald and Dorit Paul Galleries, August 26, 2023–May 19, 2024. Artworks © Walter Lobyn Hamilton.