Present in this exhibition are several paintings of utilitarian objects in central compositions on white gessoed backgrounds. Although the scale of each piece varies, all objects are painted many times larger than their original dimensions; the smallest painting being 24” x 40” and the largest, 60” x 72”. This approach transforms each object into an icon, removing situational context, and allowing viewers to consider the role and function of the subject as they have experienced working with it.
Henry Kiely, originally from Morrisville VT, began painting during his freshman year at Wesleyan University in Middletown CT. His time was split between making art and making music during college. In the spring of 2011 he presented his senior painting thesis in the Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery in Middletown, CT. Henry currently resides in Philadelphia and is teaching in Camden, NJ.
