Art

#art history #Casey Gray #food #painting #still life

Delectable Treats and Wild Blooms Radiate from Casey Gray’s Bountiful Still Life Paintings

April 2, 2024

Kate Mothes

a still life painting of a vase of flowers with a gray bird motif on the vase itself, and many of the blooms are colorful geometric shapes

“Still Life with Flowers 51” (2024). All images © Casey Gray, courtesy of Hashimoto Contemporary, shared with permission

Psychedelic flowers, a breakfast buffet, and a sprawling array of cheeses are just a few of the delightful spreads composed by San Francisco-based artist Casey Gray. Using acrylic spray paint and meticulous masking techniques, he builds up layers of color and contrast so that snacks, desserts, and blooms boldly “pop” as if illuminated by a spotlight against a dark background.

Gray’s forthcoming solo exhibition Sweet Bountiful Life at Hashimoto Contemporary welcomes viewers to a delectable presentation that celebrates food and togetherness. He describes his compositions as “potluck-style arrays of complementary dishes, each with their own attitude and significance.” The artist calls on the tradition of European still life painting to emphasizing the timelessness of gathering around a table flush with food, occasionally adding playful geometric patterns or abstraction that play with perceptions of reality.

Sweet Bountiful Life runs April 6 to 27 at Hashimoto Contemporary’s San Francisco location. Find more on the artist’s website and Instagram.

 

a still life painting of a tabletop with an array of cheeses, fruit, bread, and flowers

“Still Life with Mostly Cheeses” (2023)

a still life painting with an array of seafood, flowers, and fruit in various vessels

“Lucky Catch with Peaches Plums” (2024)

a long horizontal still life painting featuring a table full of various desserts and a vase of tulips

“Still Life with Just Desserts” (2023)

a still life painting of a prosciutto ham with fat veins in the shape of a peace sign, with peaches strewn around it

“Prosciutto, Peaches, Peace” (2024)

a long horizontal still life painting featuring a table full of various breakfast items and a vase of sunflowers

“Still Life with a Big Breakfast” (2024)

#art history #Casey Gray #food #painting #still life

 

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. You'll connect with a community of like-minded readers who are passionate about contemporary art, read articles and newsletters ad-free, sustain our interview series, get discounts and early access to our limited-edition print releases, and much more. Join now!

 

 

Also on Colossal

Related posts on Colossal about art history Casey Gray food painting still life