On April 21st Merry Karnowsky Gallery unveiled Greg ‘Craola’ Simkins first solo exhibition with the gallery entitled ‘Cloud Theory’. As the show title suggests, clouds are the foundation for this latest collection by the artist. Taking a cue from a favorite childhood pastime of staring at clouds and daydreaming them into shapes, Simkins began each canvas with loose cumulus forms and allowed the subjects to form organically .
Every painting comes alive with killer whales, birds, antique odds and ends thereby creating a surreal universe that Simkins lovingly refers to as ‘The Outside”. “The Outside” has illuminated my secret desire of escaping this world with its politics, its trappings, and its stresses,” he explains. “These pieces serve as an intermission from the struggles of our world and bring back the heart of a kid, lying on his back, interpreting what he sees in the clouds, completely and utterly carefree.”
Photos by Jennifer Leigh Strauss for Platinum Cheese.
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