For the first 12 years of his career, artist Jamie Perry painted only landscapes to satiate his creative nature. Today, while he continues to paint landscapes, his primary focus has been depicting other people “being observational” in a minimalist and retro fashion. His upcoming show, Curious Observations,at Coda Gallery in Palm Desert, California, features around 16 fresh paintings that show Perry's own observations of people observing their surroundings. Perry pays special attention to those looking at artwork in a gallery or museum.
Destinations #4, acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24"“If you sense a bit of Edward Hopper in Perry’s figurative paintings or a bit of Maynard Dixon in one of his landscapes, you’ve identified two of his inspirations in terms of style,” says Coda Gallery director Samuel Heaton. “Though he grew up in Claremont, California, Midwest settings (for instance, a lone farmhouse on flat land) appeal to his minimalist aesthetic. At the same time, he attributes his love for symbols of the American dream and lifestyle to ‘growing up in Southern California where there’s so much opportunity.’”
Vodka Soda w/ Lime, mixed media on canvas, 36 x 36"
Perry shares that his work has always been about telling stories with the least amount of detail. “Being a minimalist, this style has been a constant of mine throughout my career,” he says. “Space, light and contrast are elements which I frequently embody in my work. The dramatic effects and aesthetics are what draw viewers to my paintings.” As for as his subject matter, Perry says, “I am particularly interested in painting museum and gallery patrons, and the interactions and emotions they display when viewing artwork.”
Overshadowed, acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24"
For example, his piece Chaos & Calm shows a well-dressed male figure standing in front of an abstract painting. “While at the MoMA in New York, I noticed patrons viewing Jackson Pollock’s One: Number 31,” Perry explains. “It was interesting to contrast the frenetic energy of Pollock’s splatters and drips to the almost frozen, contemplative looks from individuals in the room. This made such an impression that I created [an entire series], which illustrates the feeling of what I saw that day.”
Chaos & Calm #12, acrylic on canvas, 36 x 36"
More subtle observational scenes in the show include works like Destinations #4—a simple, yet engaging painting depicting a lone male figure holding a suitcase. “While looking up to a sky marked with intersecting jet contrails, I often wonder where all the passengers are headed to, and for what reason,” says Perry. “Keeping with this observation, I’ll oftentimes include them in pieces that feature travelers, almost as a subtle picture of the destinations available before us. While dropping a friend off at the Palm Springs airport, I noticed a man standing in the shuttle line, wearing a straw fedora and vintage knit shirt and carrying a vintage suitcase. The year was 2023, but it could have easily been the late 1950s. I knew that I had to put this on canvas!”
Curious Observations opens Friday, February 2, during the Palm Desert Art Walk, with a reception from 4 to 7 p.m. The show will hang through February 16. —
Coda Gallery 73400 El Paseo, Suite B-1 • Palm Desert, CA 92260 • (760) 346-4661 • www.codagallery.com
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