MICHELLE COURIER & SHAY DAVIS
Drifting Along
Wilderness scenes with a twist are showcased at a forthcoming dual exhibition at Westward Gallery in Denver. The artwork of gallery owner and artist Michelle Courier and that of the multifaceted artist Shay Davis shares a common theme of depictions of nature, but with intensely vibrant colors that teeter on the surreal.
Davis has dubbed the exhibition Western Funk, an idea that took root after the Denverbased artist decided to change up his surrealist style after 20 years, which typically featured highly detailed eccentric scenes.
“I spent so much time and detail on these immaculate 4-by-5-foot paintings,” says Davis. “It’s so hard to see that tiny little detail now.” After a show at Abend Gallery last year, he decided to try something new when a friend in the Western art world suggested he try a more elusive style with a Western touch, yet still maintain an air of surrealism. These elements are evident in Davis’ new works in this upcoming show, which contains realistic scenes but with undeniable stylization—even a dreamy effect in some. Ultimately, the ability to be looser and more fluid has given him a greater sense of freedom in his artwork, he says.
Grand Slam, a favorite amongst many admirers of his work, is a swirling cascade of bright greens and blues, like a drop of ink as it slowly mixes in water. The piece takes an extreme perspective—the eye is drawn to a fish in the foreground underwater and, looking upward through the water, the tiny figure of a fisherman stands at the surface.
Courier’s paintings keep with the river theme, and each artist’s work in the show complements the other in various ways. Grounded even more closely in reality, pieces like Smooth Water by Courier are serene yet explosive, with highly pigmented blues that leap off the canvas. Davis’ Fly Guy and Courier’s Fall both elicit thoughts of the oncoming of autumn and the magnificent hues it brings along with it.
“I met Shay Davis in 2016 at a gallery opening while planning to open my own gallery, [which] I decided to call Westward,” says Courier of the creative partnership. “I gave him my card asking him to think about a duo show, and three years later we are planning our opening November 1 at Westward Gallery. We have both been influenced by each other’s work and are looking forward to showing a large group of paintings that have never been shown before.”
The exhibition runs for the entire month of November.
Westward Gallery 4400 Tennyson Street • Denver, CO 80212 • (720) 483-1046 • www.westwardgallery.com