The Bowery Gallery has invited Kris Calnan, a mixed-media painter from Peterborough, NH, to exhibit a body of work inspired by the New Hampshire landscape. Calnan draws from observed sources, utilizing diverse repurposed materials along with acrylic paint. His recent works explore how irregular formats can more accurately reflect the way we perceive our environment.

Calnan's paintings present a visual tension that highlights the primary perceptual poles in visual art: representation and abstraction. Viewed from a distance, his paintings appear spatially organized and representative of an observed source. Upon closer inspection, however, they reveal a cacophony of layered fabric, acetate, paint, staples, and found objects. Calnan states, “I am visually absorbed by how found materials interact with paint. For instance, the behavior of acrylic paint on plastic varies depending on the amount of water dilution or inclusion of paint medium. I also focus on balancing the inherent tension between attached materials and spatial organization.”

Many works in this exhibition feature irregular formats, which Calnan says are inspired by how we visually observe landscapes. He explains, “Recently, I began creating paintings that reflect how I actually see the landscape. When I look at a scene, I perceive it in fragments rather than as a whole. I believe this experience is true for all of us; our vision skips around, synthesizing our visual experiences. In other words, we are constantly compiling what we observe.”

Calnan graduated from The American University in 1990 with a Master of Fine Arts in Painting. He has taught at both secondary and post-secondary institutions. Calnan is also a studio potter.