JACKSON, Wyo. — Bradford Overton has spent two decades building a visual lexicon singular to his eye as an artist and his experience as a native of the West.
Now based in Salt Lake City, Overton draws deeply from his individualized vocabulary in his new series of paintings. His upcoming show at Altamira Fine Art speaks simultaneously to the past, present and future of Western identities.
Ever the trickster in art and life, Overton’s critical curation of Western iconography balances irony and humor. His scenes—starring vintage toys—tap the magic of youth while complicating the contemporary zeitgeist. Playfully, he mines the reality amid the fantasy byers to cowboys and American Indians.
“At times I choose subjects or arrangements because they are funny, which is essential and miraculous,” Overton said. “Other paintings are meant to host the sublime, which is the undercurrent of our world; its origin and mystery. Still, others are meant to remind the viewer of an aspect or attribute to lay claim to. But the common thread is that they are meant to serve the viewer.”
As a service to his collectors, he models after the strong-willed dreamers of his compositions. “Faith and imagination: whatever you focus on happens,” he says as his credo. “I paint paintings that I want to see, that I can’t wait to paint. I simply trust my own interest and taste expecting others to come along.”
Overton’s show of new work at Altamira runs from May 25 through June 5. An Opening Reception will be held on Sat, May 29 from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. For more information about Overton’s paintings and practice, please contact Altamira Fine Art by email at connect@altamiraart.com or by phone at (307) 739-4700.
