A World of Calm and Chaos by Owen Gray

By ALISON MARTIN

A collection haunting and dreamy images by Owen Gray is currently on view for the exhibition A World of Calm and Chaos. In this show, Gray examines how numerous crises going on in our world tap into human subconsciousness and appear in our dreams in various forms. The most prevalent global crises that is examined in this collection of work is that of climate change and how it's disrupting life on Earth with animals being removed from their natural habitats. Hieronymus Bosch, a 15th-16th century Dutch painter known for his expressive, fantastical masterpieces is one of Gray's biggest influencers and Bosch's vision is very much evident in Gray's paintings. 


Exotic Gathering by Owen Gray (2022, oil on paper)

One work titled Exotic Gathering features flying insects, beetles, a purple butterfly and several mandolins that have come together in one dreamlike sequence. Another painting with a similar concept of creatures coming together is Reptile Meeting that also includes crawling and flying insects as well as fish and serpents. Gray also portrays landscape scenes inspired by a trip to the Florida Everglades including Cumulus Clouds showing the sunlight reflecting on the water as a few people are out and about and Everglades Moonlight where the moon emerges from the thick, dark clouds with its light reflecting on the water. About his work, Gray says, "My paintings are a slow journey into the what's known yet unclear in our inner worlds. Just like a dream, all the elements can never fully be realized yet with time, new discoveries are illuminated."At the Blue Mountain Gallery, 547 W 27th St., Suite 200 through Oct. 28th. The gallery is open Tue.-Sat. from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.




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