NADA Miami 2023

Raina Hamner is a multi-media artist who grew up, and remains, in New York City. Raina’s work, usually drawings on paper, reflect an inner cosmology and animism of the world around her. For a time, Raina gave life to dream like entities, largely through elaborate costumes and dance. These entities would travel the city alone, sometimes riding the subway. Raina started drawing during this time, evolving into a masterful practice with unmistakable style. Each drawing becomes a window into an unseen world.
Raina has shown extensively in group shows at places like Safe Gallery and Gavin Brown. In addition to recently being in 3 group shows at Snow Gallery, she also staged a solo presentation at Club Rhubarb.
According to Raina: The greatest magic is transmuting the passions.’ I got this in a fortune cookie not too long ago. It describes so concisely how I feel about my art practice. It is through the meditation of making things that I find peace and humor and the ability to move through difficult emotions. My drawings are like a motley crew of mascots to help me out along the way. And releasing them into the world is like accepting whoever I am at that given moment and honoring it.