|
Return to Artist's page
Question: Kerry Hallam Biography
Answer: From the Mines to the Mediterranean
Kerry Hallam (1937–2020) was a visionary who stood in "defiance of his childhood." Born in the coal-mining town of Chesterfield, England, he was transformed by a six-year scholarship to London University’s Central College of Art, where he studied under British masters Leslie Cole and Patrick Heron. After serving in the military’s Gurkha Brigade, he found his true voice in the South of France, hones his visual style by following the footsteps of Van Gogh, Matisse, and Dufy. Hallam’s "no-smoke" career reached a turning point in 1981 when he moved to Nantucket Island, merging his love for sailing with his Fauvist-inspired palette. His work, celebrated for its opulence of light and striking color harmonies, earned him first place from L’Association Pour le Promotion Artistique Francais. He was a true Renaissance man—a musician who once opened for James Taylor—before dedicating himself to the art of the sun-drenched panorama.
At Herndon Fine Art, we have been a primary source for Kerry Hallam for over 40 years. Our collection features Vetted Consignments and Vetted Dealer Networks, with a specific focus on his hand-painted nautical charts and his heavily embellished serigraphs. Because Hallam’s estate work has recently entered the market, our vetting process ensures that you are acquiring verified "Lifetime" pieces with his original hand-signed signature. We stand behind every nautical chart and canvas with our A+ BBB commitment. |
| |
|
| |
Question: What makes his Nautical Chart paintings so valuable?
Answer: Hallam used actual, dated nautical charts as his substrate. For a collector, these are "vetted" original mixed-media works where the topography of the map (depth markers, lighthouse names) becomes part of the composition. At Herndon Fine Art, we verify that these are hand-painted originals rather than the common lithographic reproductions of the chart series. |
| |
|
| |
Question: How did his "Chalk & Vermilion" partnership affect the market?
Answer: His exclusive publishing with Chalk & Vermilion and Martin Lawrence ensured his serigraphs were produced to the highest museum standards. His market remains globally liquid; while large-scale original oils on canvas have realized record prices between $4,500 and $8,000, his hand-signed limited edition serigraphs like Fin Du Jour or Portofino consistently realize between $1,500 and $3,500 on the secondary market. |
| |
|
| |
Question: What is the difference between his Serigraphs and Giclees?
Answer: Hallam’s early 1990s works were primarily Serigraphs on paper or canvas. Later in his career, he moved to Giclees on Canvas, which allowed for a more "impasto-like" feel when hand-embellished. We check for the specific edition sizes and publisher blind stamps in your database to ensure factual accuracy for your collectors. |
| |
|
| |
Question: What is the "Nautical Chart" series?
Answer: One of Hallam's most recognized and collectible series involves acrylic paintings or prints executed directly onto nautical charts. Original acrylics on charts (like New York Harbor) are his highest-performing auction items, often fetching much more than standard paper lithographs. |
| |
|
| |
Question: How can I tell a "Hand-Embellished" Hallam from a standard print?
Answer: Hallam frequently added hand-painted highlights to his serigraphs to create texture. You can verify this by looking for unique brushstrokes in the highlights that sit on top of the flat ink surface; these embellished pieces carry a significant price premium. |
| |
|
| |
Question: Does his residency in France affect the market for his work?
Answer: Yes. His French-themed landscapes (Provence, St. Tropez) are generally more sought after than his standard coastal scenes. Pieces that reflect his early training in London and his time in France are the "Blue Chip" selections for Hallam collectors. |
| |
|
| |
Question: How do "Vetted Consignment" and "Vetted Dealer Network" listings differ?
Answer: At Herndon Fine Art, we believe in actual conversation over "marketing smoke." Vetted Consignments (RH code) are pieces sourced from private estates—including those from his long-time base in Nantucket—that we have physically inspected. Vetted Dealer Network (TAC or AE) listings come from our trusted partners. Regardless of the source, our reputation stands behind every signature. |
| |
|
| |
Question: Why should I consult with Herndon Fine Art for a Kerry Hallam purchase?
Answer: Because Hallam passed away in 2020, there are many "Estate" prints in circulation. We use our 40 years of experience to distinguish between Lifetime Hand-Signed pieces and posthumous digital signatures. We also check for "toning" in his earlier paper serigraphs to ensure the Mediterranean light in the piece remains as bright as Hallam intended. We don't do "shopping cart" sales; we want to talk with you directly to ensure the piece meets your investment standards. |
| |
|
| |
Return to Artist's page
1. EVERY piece of art receives my personal verification of condition and authentication.
2. I WILL NOT ship artwork that isn't in a condition I would accept into my own collection.
3. An A+ Rating from the Better Business Bureau
***** ALL PRICES are set by each Seller based on their Unique Motivation to Sell ***** We have a low commission structure of only
25% above each Seller's asking price or a $minimum commission. This allows us to provide buyers with the best price, sellers a better opportunity to sell, and still keep the lights on. In almost all cases, artwork is shipped unframed (UNLESS The ARTWORK IS ON CANVAS or 3-DIMENSIONAL), as I need to personally verify the artworks' authenticity and condition. Artwork that is shipped Framed is shipped framed to protect the work during shipping. Framing is considered USED
NOTE: Inventory is continuously changing so view your favorite artists pages often. For information on having your inventory added to our Website, contact us at the address below.
Click on the Link below and Join us as a Friend for ongoing featured information
Every client has different motivations for selling and as such we don't offer pricing on the pieces clients sell
If you are looking for the value of your limited edition artwork -- we have a $50 charge for certificates of value if you provide the title, the number of your piece, and an image of your artwork. Original one-of-a-kind pieces require a formal appraisal. Please see our Appraisal Services page.
All information contained in these web pages is trademarked and copyrighted by Herndon Fine Art (c). All visual copyrights belong to the artists. All rights reserved. |
