EXHIBITION PRESS RELEASE
GALLERY II

JOHN GREGORY
WORKS ON PAPER: PASTELS & WATERCOLOR

JULY 16 - AUGUST 27, 2005

Brad Cooper Gallery is pleased to present a solo exhibition (Gallery II) by  JOHN GREGORY / WORKS ON PAPER: PASTELS & WATERCOLORS, opening on July 16, 2005.  This exhibition is the result of Gregory’s work being selected BEST OF SHOW for the works on paper category in the INTERNATIONAL BIENNIAL JURIED EXHIBITION held at Brad Cooper Gallery, July of 2004.   The exhibit will be on view July 16 - August 27, 2005.  

Born in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1969 John Gregory was surrounded by a strong hardworking family in a blue-collar neighborhood.  His images and aesthetic sensibilities stem from the influence of his environment; his father’s constantly growing junkyard of cars in the family’s backyard in contrast to a well-manicured Scottsdale suburb.  After receiving a BFA  in Jewelry and Metalworking and a BA in Studio Art from Arizona State University, he enrolled in Pratt Institute and received a MFA in painting and drawing.   While at Pratt, the Brooklyn, neighborhood opened his senses to new social and visual environs that contrasted sharply to the Scottsdale suburban neighborhoods.  This contrast served to help reinforce Gregory’s exploration of what is “authentically” socially acceptable or unacceptable.  Brad Cooper Gallery is excited to present John Gregory in his first solo exhibition.

 “The beginning of this body of work developed from the notion of “nostalgia” and persists as an element in my work. This concept has developed and evolved from an “ideal view” of the past into a mechanism for social criticism regarding what is considered beautiful versus unacceptable beauty.  I have combined these two concepts in order to draw attention to the misleading notion of the “American Dream”.  The people and places in my childhood portrayed the “Dream” as the only way to achieve social normalcy and happiness.  Unfortunately, this isolates many other cultures, lifestyles, and social values by denoting them as undesirable, as they may be opposed to the “American Dream”.   An awareness of this potential conflict in our society’s social mores will hopefully cause willingness in the viewer to re-evaluate their ideals and consider those differing from his or hers as being similarly valid.  Looking outside the social norm, one can accept as beautiful unconventional images and forms within my art.” 

The Brad Cooper Gallery is located at 1712 E  7^th Ave in YBOR CITY, and Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 11am until 5pm. (Please call 813-248-6098 for additional evening and weekend hours.)  

Concurrent SOLO exhibition Gallery I : GC WILLIAMS: STILL LIFE PAINTING

*online exhibition link
 

Gallery II Exhibition:

Brad Cooper Gallery
1712 E 7th Ave. YBOR CITY  (between 17th & 18th St)

11am - 5 pm / Wed – Sat  &  by appointment.