statement

Greg Jones: Artist Statement
Babes in Toyland: In Search of Humanity

For me, the act of paintings has always provided a visual language for me to express my inability to reconcile the many facets of human nature. Creating a visual voice has always been easier for me than say writing or even speaking. It allows a more intuitive side to guide my inquiries, and many times to mask my intentions.

My current body of work titled "Babes in Toyland: In Search of Humanity" does just that, by using toys as stand-ins for humans I hope to put a playful spin on images that explore the darker side of human nature.

My use of toys also reflects my interest in toys as cultural artifacts created to illustrate the endless stories written for children. From the fairy princess to the prince of darkness, stories are told to children with toys that ultimately help to shape their view of the world.

The piece in this show is titled "The Castle.‰ It is painted from two actual chess pieces and is meant to reference a construction of power. They are painted as they are in black and white, as opposites, and in balance or "check." The sketchy style of paint application is meant to reflect the temporary and fleeting nature of governmental structures.

bio

born: Cleveland, Ohio

education

University of Illinois at Chicago, MFA
Bowling Green State University BFA

selected awards/honors

First Award, Spring Show, Art Space Lima, juried regional show, Lima Ohio, April-May 2008

selected publications

Harper College, 31st Annual National Art Exhibition catalog, Palatine, Illinois: Harper College press p. 15, 24, 2009

selected solo or two-person exhibits

Defiance College, Defiance Ohio, Solo Show, November-December 2011
Riverviews Artspace, Lynchburg, Solo ShowVirginia, August-October, 2010
A Matter of Touch, Solo exhibition, Flatlander's Art Gallery, Blissfield, Michigan, January-May 2011
About Face, Solo exhibition, Flatlanders Art Galleries, Blissfield, Michigan, February 2008

selected group shows

Being Human, national juried exhibition, Union Street Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, October-November 2011
Third Annual National Figurative Drawing and Painting Exhibition, national juried exhibition, The Lore Degenstein Gallery, Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, October-December 2011  
33 Collective Gallery, Zhou B. Art Center, national juried exhibition, Chicago, Illinois, May 2009
31st Harper College National Juried Art Exhibition, Harper College, Palatine Illinois, April 2009