April 10 - May 15, 2021
From the gallery:
“Exhibition Statement
In 2020 the world changed. Through a devastating pandemic, the effect of which was shared by virtually everyone on the the planet, the result for many people was an unprecedented isolation. A shrinking of their previous world. In John Tallman’s exhibition, “Paintings From A Room”, the artist attempts to come to grips with that new reality. Or at least try to make some peace with it by finding inspiration in the small things of our everyday lives. Interiors, simple shapes, stark shadows, a fundamental color palette. Painted with care and careful observation. All of the work was completed in the former dining room in the artist’s home, converted into a studio. The title of the exhibition is also a nod to the the Leonard Cohen album, “Songs from a Room”, which was recorded by Cohen in October 1968 in John Tallman’s current home of Nashville. The austere compositions in this exhibition echo the stripped-down approach found in the songs from Cohen’s album. The year 2020, as well as 1968, was a time of turmoil and social upheaval. Some artists attempt to look outward as a response. John Tallman has searched more inward and has found light and joy in things that are close and that one can touch.
“And I chose the rooms I live in with care
The windows are small and the walls almost bare…”
Tonight Will Be Fine by Leonard Cohen
Artist
John Tallman is a Nashville based American artist born in York, Pennsylvania in 1969. He grew up in the Philadelphia area and attended Tyler School of Art where he received a BFA degree in the field of Painting. He received his MFA degree in Painting from the University of Washington in Seattle. John Tallman’s art can be found in numerous collections in the United States and abroad and he has exhibited his work internationally including the Drawing Center, the OK Harris Gallery and the Stadtmuseum in Germany. This is his second solo exhibition with Gray Contemporary. In August of this year, he will participate in a solo exhibition at Saturation Point Gallery in London. Dedicated to the practice of non-objective art and the community it creates, John has curated international exhibitions with the goal of brining non-objective art to a diverse audience. He has also traveled extensively and has lived in Lookout Mountain, TN, South Korea and New York City.
Gray Contemporary
For more information, call 713.862.4425, email [email protected], or visit
www.graycontemporary.com.”
On View: April 10, 2021 | 12–5 pm
3508 Lake Street
Houston, 77098 TX
713-862-4425
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