Jay Backstrand and Tom Cramer Exhibit at the Laura Russo Gallery

Written by Oliver Birchington Thursday, 11 August 2011 19:43

Portland OR.- The Laura Russo Gallery is pleased to present new works by Jay Backstrand and Tom Cramer under the title "Oregon Landmarks" from May 5th to 28th. Iconic Portland artist Tom Cramer is widely known for his public murals, painted cars, totems, opera sets and costumes, and recent exhibitions of exquisitely carved, intricate wall reliefs inspired in part by recent travels to the major temples of India. His work is included in museum collections (Portland Art Museum, Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Boise Art Museum among others), corporate collections (Microsoft, Harsch Investment Corp., numerous law firms) and many private collections. Cramer is an instructor at PNCA (Pacific Nortwest College of Art), the institution from which he graduated in 1982. Cramer also spent time at the Pratt Institute in NYC in the mid-1980's. His work has been included in several Oregon Biennial exhibitions and many other survey shows.

Portland veteran Jay Backstrand has been painting for over three decades. Resulting from a long process of speculation, Backstrand's paintings have seamless beauty with both classical and contemporary sensibilities. His paintings incorporate the use of iconic sculptural elements, classical art historical referents, optical illusions and new motifs taken from technology. By juxtaposing and reconstructing images from a variety of cultures and art history, Backstrand's works are tightly contrived and composed. These visual and conceptual montages create drama through collaged narratives and an exceptional use of highly saturated colour. As a visual philosopher, Backstrand's themes question the very nature of human existence and the behavioral realities and relationships within it. One of these relationships is rooted in the role of imagery, with Backstrand borrowing figurative illustrations from centuries of art. There is also an element of logic very present in his work. This characteristic is revealed in the sharpness of his rendering, his use of formal and geometric patterning to divide his imagery into layered and adjacent picture planes, and his choice of recognizable imagery. Jay Backstrand's work can be seen in museum's throughout the US, including the Smithsonian Institute, the National Gallery Washington, DC, Tacoma Art Museum, Grunwald Collection, University of California, San Diego, CA and Haseltine Collection of Pacific Northwest Art at the University of Oregon.


Established in 1986, the Laura Russo Gallery is one of the most beautiful showcases for art in the Pacific Northwest, exhibiting work of the highest quality by both established and emerging artists. They represent contemporary Northwest artists working in a variety of media including painting, sculpture, works on paper, and fine art prints. Their art encompasses a diversity of styles, ranging from landscape to abstract expressionism. The gallery features solo exhibitions on a monthly basis, as well as selected group shows and special exhibitions. The Laura Russo Gallery represents the finest in Contemporary Northwest art, as well as work by several internationally recognized artists. The estate collections of some of the region's most renowned early artists are also available through the gallery. The gallery is distinguished by its dedication to customizing services to the needs of clients. A knowledgeable, professional staff utilizes a wealth of regional and national resources to fully realize the fine art needs of both private and corporate clients. They pride ourselves in a valuable tradition of maintaining strong ties with our collectors over the years. Visit the gallery's website at ... http://www.laurarusso.com

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