Grey Cube Gallery proudly presents the fifth Open online art show for the month of March 2024. The show encompassed a range of artistic styles and mediums (oil on canvas, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, charcoal, ink, collage, photography, digital). Each submission has been judged based on the following elements of artistic expression: orginality and quality of art, overall design, creativity, interpretation of the theme, demonstration of artistic ability and usage of medium. Out of all entries, 95 artworks were shortlisted for inclusion in the show. The competition attracted entries from many countries across the world: USA, Canada, United Kingdom, South Korea, Poland, Ireland, China, Taiwan, Italy, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland. Enjoy the show and thank you for expressing an interest in our competition.

My work originates from 'anxiety'. Anxiety, like sharp thorns, appears aggressive yet fragile. When multiple units symbolizing anxiety come together, relying on each form's strength to find balance, they evoke tension while also creating rhythm and movement. The elements of imperfection and completeness displayed in this work reveal a contradictory yet appealing aspect. Even a smooth wooden floor, when stepped on and imprinted by various objects, eventually wears out and develops sharp thorns to pierce those who tread upon it. Doubt and caution often serve as means of defense for my mind, revealing scars. However, just as the mind can be harmed by people, it can also be healed by them. People, despite having different sizes and shapes of concerns, create a stronger community by sharing such emotions, relying on each other for support. The physical transformation of ceramics reflects the growth and resilience of the mind. From the process of balancing and standing up the soft clay before firing, to overcoming various challenges of collapse and breakage, the appearance of the artwork emerging from the kiln with a solid and smooth glaze is both a process of comfort and recovery, as well as a journey of assimilation with the artwork. I aim to create works that are aesthetic yet profound.

This recent piece, Where's My Flag: “American Flag, Confederate Flag, Celtic Cross, Odal Rune, Sonnernrad, SS Bolts, Wolfsangel,” diverges from my work in typography to manifest as three dimensional forms representing forms typically viewed as two dimensional. Like much of the world, I was dismayed and appalled from the scenes of the January 6, 2021 insurrection of the United States Capital. With my background in graphic design, I quickly picked up on the different symbols celebrated by various Right-wing groups. I was stunned to see these symbols have found a place and American culture through tribalism, or as Umberto Echo referred to as the “cult of tradition.” I was also disturbed to see the United States flag used as a pike during the insurrection. In my piece, Where's My Flag: “American Flag, Confederate Flag, Celtic Cross, Odal Rune, Sonnernrad, SS Bolts, Wolfsangel,” I have combined the symbols mentioned in the title into a single, unified image. Through my three dimensional constructions, forms and the space between them (what would traditionally be figure — ground, positive — negative) is explored in a three dimensional form. The dominant interactions of the forms advance, the more minor recede, forms larger in scale advances the smaller recedes, the ambiguous forms merges into the background. The various planes in space create a more concrete experience rather than viewing combined symbols in a flat plane. Viewers comment that my constructions evoke a feeling, a sense of time and space. Many claim they don’t have to “read” the surface consciously as in literature in order to read the constructions. The content of my work takes a post-structural approach with concern for meaning or rather concern of multiple meanings, or a lack of resolution about meaning. Meaning is intended to be un-stable.

I was born in 1964 and studied at Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts from 1984, graduating in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Following my graduation, I worked as a designer in Foshan, Guangdong. Since 2014, I have been dedicated to creating paintings. After September 2023, I started to participate in various competitions and exhibitions, accumulating over 30 awards and certificates.

Stephen is a native Virginian who works in finance and accounting and is a licensed CPA in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Ever since he was a little boy, Stephen was fascinated by airplanes and enjoyed art. After graduating college, Stephen joined the Marine Corps and was commissioned a 2ndLt. The Marines gave him the opportunity to become a Marine aviator, and in November of 1998, Stephen earned his wings of gold and went on to fly CH-46E helicopters. After leaving the Marine Corps, Stephen began focusing his efforts on developing his art, and eventually became a member of the American Society of Aviation Artists (ASAA). Stephen also enjoys painting landscapes and seascapes. He is a Fellow of the ASAA, member of the American Society of Marine Artists, and contributing member of the Coast Guard Art Program. Stephen's works can be seen in squadron spaces, private collections, the collection of the National Naval Aviation Museum, and in the United States Capitol Building. Stephen’s work alternates between aviation and landscape/seascape and figurative paintings. Aviation subjects allow him to create dynamic compositions with geometric forms and line, while non-aviation subjects offer a chance to work with more organic forms and a broader palette of visual textures. Stephen tries to strike a balance between technical, visual, emotional, and, when applicable, accuracy. By balancing all of these elements, the necessary information can be presented to fully describe a place or event, while at the same time infusing a painting with the life and emotion to give the viewer a more visceral experience. A majority of Stephen’s work is created in oils, and he finds that medium to best express himself using techniques of impressionistic realism.