“Objects exhibit a harmony, a peace and a co-existence with the world that makes the world I inhabit seem frantic and a bit absurd by comparison.” — Tom Gregg
Tom Gregg “owns” the contemporary still life in Kansas City, deploying his crisp realism to convey the magical ordinariness of everyday objects. For him, “things that I could hold in my hand or put in my pocket, have always had a life of their own in my imagination and a powerful resonance in my world.”
Gregg paints apples, olives, toys, glasses of water, ashtrays, a tube of lipstick, often placing disparate objects in matter-of-fact proximity, teasing the viewer to come up with a logical explanation or story for the relationships he sets up. Over the years Gregg has also tackled some charged objects, including hand grenades and a wadded-up American flag.
Reflections and shadows are his specialty, as seen in the recently completed oil on panel, “Queen of Spades.” Folds of drapery are another favorite challenge — over the years, Gregg has been known to paint objects wrapped in fabric, cloaking them with an aura of mystery.
In November, Gregg will join other KC artists who explore the still life genre, including Dean Kube, Linda Lighton, Richard Mattsson, Aaron Morgan Brown, Misty Gamble and Don Gore, in the exhibit “Winter Collective: Still Life” at Weinberger Fine Art.
“Winter Collective: Still Life” opens with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 2 and continues through Jan. 6 at Weinberger Fine Art, 114 Southwest Blvd. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. For more information, 816.301.4428 or www.weinbergerfineart.com
Image: “Queen of Spades” (detail) by Tom Gregg, is part of the exhibit, “Winter Collective: Still Life,” opening Nov. 2 at Weinberger Fine Art (from the artist)
