Matthew Cornell creates atmospheric snapshots of Anytown, USA; while Robert Stark’s still lifes combine unexpected elements into compositions that exude an air of levity and humor.

The two artists might seem like an unusual pairing for a joint show, but gallerist Robert Lange sees the common ground. “Matthew Cornell and Robert Stark redefine the boundaries of reality, elevating the ordinary to the extraordinary,” he says. “In their exhibit, each painting is a portal to a parallel universe, where the magic lies in the breathtaking details.”

Robert W. Stark III, September, oil on panel, 11 x 20"

In Cornell’s meticulously rendered alternate reality, “ordinary” small town America is made poignant, mysterious and impenetrable. It is as if we are looking out the same car window he did during the many moves and road trips of his childhood; and those he takes now, perpetually seeking some semblance of home.  

“I’m looking for a quiet. I’m looking to be surprised. I’m looking for contradiction,” he says, explaining what qualities make a scene worthy of painting. “I’m looking for many things I remember from all the travels I had when I was a child. Not necessarily someplace specific, but how I felt about it.

Robert W. Stark III, Arthur and Gail, oil on panel, 11 x 6"

“I am still looking for home. But after all these years I’m beginning to wonder if I even know what it means,” he continues. “Sometimes I feel like home is everywhere and nowhere all at once. Having lived now in so many places, I feel like a traveler or ghost in search of something he may never find.”

Several of his new works depict places in Maine where he spent six weeks last summer, including Sabbath and Hope. Both paintings contain themes the artist is exploring—faith, quietude, contemplation, contradiction, searching, hope. 

“The paintings both have a quiet and spiritual quality I think…I’ve used ‘hope’ in a number of paintings. Something we are in short supply of nowadays,” he says. “I like the contemplative nature. Where are these cars going?  Where are they from? Are they in a search for truth? Am I ?  Or are we all just headed to McDonald’s?”

Stark is also inspired by everyday moments. “Small snapshots frozen in time which I find comforting,” explains the artist. “Painting provides me the best way to convey these emotions and ideas.”

Matthew Cornell, Hope, oil on panel, 7 x 7"

While Stark is also an accomplished landscape and wildlife artist, he was once told that if you can master the still life, all other genres will likely come more easily. He began painting still lifes as an exercise, but found that he enjoyed them.

“I appreciate the simple, classical style of still lifes,” he says. “Attempting to capture a quick snapshot of life, a solitary moment, appeals to me. Attempting to imbue that moment with perhaps not so ‘still’ a personality appeals to me. Attempting to take an uncomplicated genre such as still life and complicate it, make it my own, also appeals to me.”  

His still life subjects exude personality. In one of his tromp l’oeil pieces, a halved pear tied with twine sits atop a block with a lady bug crawling across it. Scalawag features a green onion taped to the wall with masking tape; Arthur and Gail—inspired by a favorite childhood story of his—an artichoke and snail; September,a row of apples against a seascape full-moon backdrop. The combinations provide a sense of scale and a delightful contrast in pattern, color, shadow and light.

Matthew Cornell, Sabbath, oil on panel, 6 x 9"

“I find that adding something alive or a small character to a more inanimate piece helps tie the piece together,” Stark says. “The characters give the objects life or different meanings for different people, it allows various story paths to unfold, specific to the eyes of the viewer.”

Solitude and Pespective, featuring 20 new works by Cornell and Stark, opens at Robert Lange Studios with a reception on March 1 from 5 to 8 p.m., and remains on view through the end of the month. —

Robert Lange Studios 2 Queen Street • Charleston, SC 29401 • (843) 805-8052 • www.robertlangestudios.com

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