John D. Gall

Printmaking, Painting, Drawing

Recent paintings by John D. Gall bring forth an extension of his work done over the past 25 years but with a much more surreal influence within his subject matter.  Those familiar with his work may be surprised to see paintings rather than original prints (etching and relief) but John’s unique imagery or “artistic signature” is ever present in any medium he uses.  As John explains; “I was a painter for many years before attending Guilford College where, unexpectedly, I became seduced with making original prints.  I’m sure I will continue to create prints, but as I re-visit painting I have also found a renewed purpose and focus for painting.”

All the new paintings exhibit a heightened vibrant and rich sense of color.  There is a playful, whimsical, yet serious nature in the images John creates, whereby man’s everyday struggle seems to deal with the “choices” made during life.  Recurring themes such as stealing or stopping time, loneliness, being impoverished, or trying to make sense of a dream are often present.  There is even a suggestion of wishful thinking. 

John’s work is in various public collections including the University of Dallas, Guilford College, Perdue University, University of West Georgia, Arkansas State University, Capital Bank, Kerr Drugs, Essex Plastics Corporation, and numerous private collections. Two of his drawings were recently included in the show entitled: Line,Touch,Trace at the North Carolina Museum of Art, which ran fromAugust 31, 2014 through March 8, 2015.