Scott Yelonek was last in these pages—and on the cover—in March, when he had a show at Altamira Fine Art’s location in Scottsdale, Arizona. The response to his work was so positive, Altamira Fine Art is hosting another exhibition of Yelonek’s paintings, this time at their gallery in Jackson, Wyoming. In his new body of work, Yelonek continues to explore his fascination with the unknown stories embodied in relics of the past—vintage cameras in particular.
Kodak Duaflex IV, oil on canvas, 36 x 36 in.
Yelonek remembers going through his grandparents’ belongings a couple of decades ago, and coming across his grandmother’s sewing machine and old typewriters; his grandfather’s tools and random items like metal Folgers cans. They triggered memories from his childhood and soon he was arranging still lifes out of the objects, then he moved on to painting historic buildings and vintage cars. Yelonek still paints assemblages of old timey objects, often with a Western flair, but his primary focus at the moment is cameras. Whatever his subject matter, the inspiration is the same.
Pentax 67, oil on canvas, 22 x 22 in.
He explains, “I’ve always thought about who was using [the objects] and what for…what was their lifestyle like? I’d come across an old abandoned truck out in a field or by a barn and wonder what happened. What was the last load it carried? Who got out of the car and walked away and never came back? It just stopped there one day and that was its last ride. I’ve always been kind of fascinated by that and the endless little stories you can come up with.”
Vintage cameras are an especially rich vehicle to ponder these endless possibilities. For Yelonek, it’s questions like, “Who held it? Who looked through it? What did they see? Where did it travel? What was the last photo it took?” The camera itself (he only recently added newer models from the 60s and 70s to his repertoire) is a connection to the past, as is imagining the photos it took. Yelonek adds another layer of depth, and elevates the humble object by making the camera the subject of a portrait, rather than a mere tool to take them.
Kodak Brownie, oil on canvas, 22 x 22 in.
Yelonek suspects his paintings resonate with viewers because “everyone has a connection with the past, and it seems like everyone has their own story or memory around old, vintage objects,” he says. “I like that they make people reflect on their lives…I don’t want to steer them in any direction, I just want to encourage their minds to wander and take them wherever it does.”
Polaroid 95A, oil on canvas, 54 x 42 in.
Yelonek’s show, titled Range Finder, runs August 26 through September 9, with an opening reception on August 28 from 5 to 7 p.m.
“Scott Yelonek has a remarkable eye for elevating the everyday,” says Altamira Fine Art owner Jason Williams. “His portraits of vintage cameras, classic books and thoughtfully arranged tablescapes speak to a deep appreciation for design, nostalgia and storytelling. This show offers collectors a refined yet playful take on Americana—timeless subjects rendered with a bold, contemporary edge.” —
Altamira Fine Art 172 Center Street, Suite 100 • Jackson, WY 83001 • (307) 739-4700 • www.altamiraart.com
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