CJ Hales, “Misdirection,” 2023, oil on panel, 9.5″ x 9.5″
CJ Hales’ work represents the continuation of a long tradition of figurative painting in Utah. It is a tradition kept alive in the small town of Helper, Utah, where Hales now lives among several other artists. “Misdirection” represents a strand of this tradition, exemplified by David Dornan, a Helper artist with whom Hales has studied — the still life as a means of intense focus, a dynamic interplay between paint and the material world.
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- “Misdirection,” 2023, oil on panel, 9.5 x 9.5 in.
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- “Value in the Basics,” 2023, oil on panel, 9.5 x 9.5 in.
The two smaller works, “Misdirection” and “Value in the Basics,” represent a recent departure for the artist. Each presents a compelling exploration of the theme of duality and the enigmatic nature of performance. The color palette is restrained, dominated by sepia tones that evoke a sense of antiquity, as if the scenes are captured moments from a bygone era. Both works are rich in texture, with the paint applied in a manner that gives life and movement to the subjects. The aging effect on the canvas surface adds a layer of depth, suggesting that these moments, while frozen in time, are part of a larger, ever-evolving story.
The first painting portrays a magician, absorbed in thought, with a rabbit peeking from behind his shoulder. This image could symbolize the unexpected and hidden aspects of life or the secrets behind the craft of magic. The rabbit, traditionally associated with magic acts, is a familiar motif, yet it is placed unconventionally, suggesting a deeper connection between the animal and the performer. The magician’s intense focus on the hat in his hands, possibly contemplating his next act, adds to the painting’s air of mystery.
In the second painting, another performer is shown in a more dynamic pose, using his hands to cast a shadow in the form of a rabbit. We might read this as a symbol of the artist, who manipulates materials to transform the three-dimensional into a two dimensional painting.
In combination, these paintings invite viewers to reflect on the illusions presented in our own lives, the roles we play, and the constant balance between what is shown and what is concealed.
READ MORE ABOUT THE ARTIST AND VIEW MORE OF HIS WORK
Artists of Utah’s 35×35, Finch Lane Gallery, Salt Lake City, through Feb. 23
UTAH’S ART MAGAZINE SINCE 2001, 15 Bytes is published by Artists of Utah, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Categories: 35x35
