Gary Ham's stunning wood pieces for his Sentimentrees solo show at Stranger Factory!

Joining the previously teased "Box Boy," we have a wonderful selection of photographs for pieces in Gary Ham's upcoming "Sentimentrees" solo show. It becomes obvious rather quickly when looking over these that Ham is exploring the traditional childhood plaything — itself a living creature in these instances — wonderfully created out of wood, itself a nostalgic toy material. When asked what he sought to achieve with this exhibition, Ham replied that it was a personification of his own sentimental childhood memories:

If the things we loved as a child could walk and talk, what would their childhood be like? As children, we saw our treehouse as a trusted friend and sanctuary; as adults we see a wood box nailed into tree branches. “Sentimentrees” brings us back to seeing our playthings through the optimism and unconditional love of our youth.

And Ham does not fail in his quest, for looking at this pieces — some of the best he's created to date — one can't help but be mentally transported back to that very time in our own lives. And that's the secret… We all have been there and can look back fondly.

"Sentimentrees," a solo show of new works by Gary Ham, will open on Friday, November 1st with a reception from 6-9PM local time and be available for viewing through December 1st, 2013 at Stranger Factory, 109 Carlisle Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106.