Cheryl Kelley, in this latest exhibition entitled “Scintillation” continues her exploration into the variations on themes of possession, desire, reflection, speed, and beauty as represented by the automobile in all its gleaming surface and form.

The auto has long been an archetypical symbol of power, glamour and sensuality found in our deepest and yet familiar fantasies. Throughout the years, the automobile’s evolution of line, curve and embellishment had mirrored our constantly changing society and our material expectations.

From a 1930’s Buick Roadster smothered in chrome, to the first finned Caddy of the late 40’s; outrageous Chevy’s from the 50’s, the muscle cars of the 60’s and 70’s, right up to the to the exotic sports cars of the present day, they are all presented to us by the artist with an amazing eye for detail and a technical virtuosity second to none.

These are “freestyle” super realist oil paintings, freestyle meaning direct, old school brushwork. They are not projections or painted over photographs. All are oil paintings with a difference that, instead of oil on canvas, most are oil on aluminum. The aluminum affords a smooth painting surface and also works as a metaphor for the metal-bodied vehicles represented.

In the shine and reflectivity emanating from the chrome and steel surfaces of the automobiles she paints, Cheryl Kelley has created an approach that has the ability to amplify the sensual and visual effect she has uncovered within these extreme objects of desire.


Thom Andriola