Independent Arts News Reporting Thomas Kelly, exhibiting a new series, WeWork with Walter Wickiser Gallery at Seattle Art Fair 2024.
Reported on Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Pictured Above: “Conductor” by artist Thomas Kelly. Photo Credit: Contributed.
Internationally collected NJ artist's work heads to the Seattle Art Fair, featuring "We Work"
NEWSROOM POST: NEW JERSEY/NATIONAL
New Jersey/National – Thomas Kelly is a widely collected, award-winning, New Jersey based painter with a signature style, work primarily has its roots in Expressionism.
The WeWork series depicts unsung but very necessary occupations. People whose occupations help feed us, protect us, help us travel, help us look good, and feel good. These are the people that help the world operate. This is work that we all need. This is work that we do. WeWork. With the help of these workers and many more, we prosper.
The sixteen acrylic on canvas paintings all measure 12” x 12” (30x30cm) and will be exhibited in a 4 pc x 4 pc grid. The paintings were all made in 2024.
Pictured Above: “Hair Stylist” by artist Thomas Kelly. Photo Credit: Contributed.
When asked about his inspiration for the series, Kelly states, “Every occupation should be celebrated. Without any of these depicted occupations our lives would not be as pleasant, safe or even possible. The show features paintings of truck drivers, lifeguards, tailors, restaurant workers, landscapers, construction workers and more. These workers are essential and work in positions that allow people to enjoy life. They are important.”
Kelly drew the original sketches on 3” x 3” Post-It notepads. “The thumbnail sketches let me focus on the main points I wish to portray. They help me focus on the main idea.”
Pictured Above: “Fish Market” by artist Thomas Kelly. Photo Credit: Contributed.
Kelly’s work known for its colorful, narrative, acrylic paintings on canvas often create what feels like personal dialogue with the viewer. His deceptively simplistic paintings are both critically acclaimed and very approachable by everyday viewers. More than 375 of Kelly’s original paintings have been collected. Kelly has exhibited in New Jersey, New York City, and Philadelphia. His work is in private and public collections in the US, Europe and Asia.
Pictured Above: “Seamstress” by artist Thomas Kelly. Photo Credit: Contributed.
Schedule: July 25-28
Lumen Field Event Center
800 Occidental Ave S
Seattle, WA 98134
Opening Evening presented by PURE Insurance:
Thursday, July 25: 6—9pm
Public Days:
Friday, July 26: 11am—7pm
Saturday, July 27: 11am—7pm
Sunday, July 28: 11am—6pm
About Walter Wickiser Gallery
The Walter Wickiser Gallery was established in 1992 in Soho, New York.
Wickiser’s career as an art dealer formally began in 1990 in Soho, NY, when he became the director of the first gallery in the United States showing artists from mainland China. Today the gallery focus has shifted to midrange and Post War international artists.
The Seattle Art Fair, founded in 2015 is the premier art expo in the Pacific Northwest United States. Attracting 25,000 attendees in 2023, this year there will be 90 art galleries from around the world exhibiting. More at walterwickisergallery.com
