PENCIL ON PAPER GALLERY

Randall Garrett
“All My Relations”
Solo Exhibition

April 6 – May 24, 2024

Randall Garrett has been a steady presence in the Dallas and Texas art scene since 1992, when he became a member of the seminal artist-run space, 500X Gallery. In 1998 he joined Dallas College as gallery director and art faculty, and in 2000, opened his own experimental art space. Some 25 years later, his career continues in both of those capacities, as the current Gallery and Art Collection Manager with Dallas College, and as owner / director of Plush Gallery. Across a 30 year professional career, he has mounted 25 solo shows, along with numerous performances and curated projects. Most recently, Garrett lived for 6-1/2 years in Mexico, the last 1-1/2 years in Oaxaca, a period which has greatly influenced his life and art.

For this, his first exhibition with Pencil on Paper Gallery, the artist has brought a trove of new work from his Oaxaca studio, in the form of large scale abstract collage paintings and mixed media sculptures, all exhibiting his ongoing fascination with the activities and detritus of everyday life, from mimicking the surfaces and textures of graffiti and poster covered walls to materials destined for the trash heap. In his current exhibition, “All My Relations,” Garrett explores the idea of connection, how we come to know ourselves more deeply through those whom we are in relation with, whether they be friend, family, lover, parent, sibling, or enemy. In each work, the artist infuses an abundance of references, to the point of visual overload, such that the surfaces become one continuous movement of visual chaos and flow, much like life itself, and the relationships through which we measure our time here.

Chris Arnold
“FINDING MY VOICE”

April 6 – May 24, 2024

Chris Arnold, a native of Dallas, Texas, has been immersed in the creative process since childhood. His artistic journey began at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (Arts Magnet), where he graduated in 1984. It was at Arts where he honed his skills and received his first major commission to paint a large-scale outdoor mural for the opening of the Dallas Arts District. Following high school, Arnold pursued further education at the Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD) in Columbus, Ohio, graduating with a BFA in Illustration. After college, he transitioned into the theater world, working as a scenic artist in the film and television industry. During this time, he served as a lead scenic artist in two of Dallas’s largest scenic arts studios, where he gained valuable experience in producing monumental-scale artwork while working on backdrops for opera and ballet productions. This proved to be instrumental in shaping Arnold’s career path, leading him to establish Eyecon Studios, a Dallas-based company specializing in mural art. In 1993, Arnold and his fellow CCAD graduate Jeff Garrison co-founded Eyecon Studios as a collaborative artistic team. Over the past three decades, they have created numerous award-winning works of art showcased across the country. Arnold’s latest artistic venture marks a significant milestone in his career—a solo exhibition at Pencil on Paper Gallery. With his thirty-six years of experience spanning illustration, scenic arts, and mural painting, this marks his first solo show. Positioned at the nexus of his multifaceted artistic journey, Arnold’s exhibition offers a retrospective lens through which viewers can appreciate the evolution of his distinctive style and creative vision.

Established in 2019, Pencil on Paper Gallery is a contemporary art gallery in the Design District that promotes emerging, mid-career, and veteran artists. With an emphasis on community-based engagement through the empowerment of artists, the gallery provides a platform which represents a diverse array of culture and artistry while fostering an appreciation for the arts.

Pencil on Paper Gallery
4755 Algiers Street, Suite 100
Dallas, TX 75207

469.360.4931

pencilonpapergallery.com