Sean Hamilton

Sean Hamilton (b. 1988, Idaho) is a painter based in Pittsburgh, PA. After a career in advertising, he redirected his focus to painting, applying the same visual immediacy of the ad world to the canvas. His work explores themes of western expansion, rural ambition, political hubris, and American absurdity, often using imagery sourced from bygone eras to reflect contemporary issues. Through intentional image pairing and placement, Hamilton creates a forced set of priorities and questions, addressing the disconnect in gender representation, the contradictions of suburban ideals, and the surreal nature of social and political discourse. His paintings act as a bridge between past and present, examining the echoes of history in today’s cultural landscape.