Using the automobile as a point of reference, Cheryl Kelley continues her exploration into issues of gender, power, and freedom. Through exquisitely rendered canvases, Chrome displays the luminosity and mystique of the automobile that has captured the imagination of so many since its inception. Juxtaposed to her previous exhibitions of all muscle cars, Kelley's introduction of luxury sports cars like Porsche and Bentley creates a conceptual dialogue of modernity’s influence on design, social trends, technology and taste.

From an artistic perspective, Kelley creates stunning likenesses that reflect the surface of the subject as well as the world around it. Similar to standing in front of a mirror, the viewer simultaneously shifts between the object within and the world around them, between reality and fantasy, as they project themselves into these imaginary landscapes. This conceptual leap, combined with impeccable rendering, transforms the ordinary into extraordinary and the automobile into other.


Education

1992 University on Houston, Houston, Tx. B.A. Fine Art
1987 High School for the performing and Visual Arts, Houston, Tx.

Solo Shows

2010 New Gallery, Houston, TX, "Retrocar Retrospective"
2010 New Gallery, Houston, TX, "Drive"
2009 Scott Richards Contemporary Art, San Francisco, CA,"Heavy Metal"
2009 New Gallery, Houston, TX, "Scintillation"
2008 Lyons Wier Ortt Gallery, New York, NY
2007 New Gallery, Houston, Tx. "Somnambulist"
2006 Lyons Wier Ortt Gallery, New York, NY. "Wheels"
2005 Lyons Wier Ortt Gallery, New York, NY.
2005 New Gallery, Houston, Tx. “American Muscle”
2003 New Gallery, Houston, Tx. “Flight”
2002 New Gallery, Houston, Tx. “Self Portrait”
2001 New Gallery, Houston, Tx. “Plane Painting”
1998 Artist’s Loft, Galveston, Tx.

Group Shows

2010 Bernarducci Meisel Gallery, New York, NY "Four Painters"
2010 Scott Richards Contemporary Art, FADA Los Angeles Art Show, CA
2010 David Klein Gallery, Birmingham, MI, "Drive"
2009 Lyons Wier Gallery, Pulse, Miami
2009 New Gallery, Houston, TX
2008 New Gallery, Houston Tx.,Fotofest
2007 Art Murmur gallery, Los Angelas, "Sexy Beasts"
2007 Bridge art fair, Miami FL
2005 The Arts Center of the Capital Region, Troy, New York
2005 Florence Biennale, Florence, Italy
2005 Art La, Santa Monica Civic Center, Los Angelas. Ca.
2005 Assistance League, Houston, Tx.
2004 Scope Miami, Miami, FL.
2003 The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center, The Woodlands, Tx.
2002 Stefan Stux Gallery, New York, NY.
2002 Hooks Epstien Gallery, Houston, Tx.
2001 Skott Foreman Fine Art, Boca Raton, FL.
2001 Assistance League, Houston, Tx.
2001 Visual Arts Alliance, Houston, Tx.
2001 National Art Services, Houston, Tx.
2001 Houston Community College, Houston, Tx.
2000 New Gallery, Portrait Show, Houston, Tx.
1999 New Gallery, Introductions, Houston, Tx.
1999 Transco Tower Gallery, Houston, Tx.
1999 HSPVA Alumni Exhibition, Houston, Tx.
1999 Aragon/Mihalic Gallery, Taos, NM.
1999 Galleria, Encantada, Taos, NM.
1998 Mixed Emotions Gallery, Houston, Tx.
1998 Perna Gallery, Taos, NM.
1998 Galveston Arts Festival, Galveston, Tx.
1990 Lawndale Performance and Art Center, Houston, Tx.
1987 Lynn Goode Gallery, Houston, Tx.

Collections

Richard Massey, New York, NY
Howard Tullman, Chicago, Ill
Anthony’s Restaurant, Houston, Tx.
Les Marks, Houston, Tx
Tony Vallone, Houston, Tx.
Mr. and Mrs. Don Sanders
Blake Pratz, Houston, Tx.
John and Becca Thrash, Houston, Tx.
Tony Deden, Houston, Tx.
Bill Broderick & Tim Chafin, Houston, Tx.
Luanne Cullen, Austin, Tx.
Lennie & Theresa Friedman, Houston, Tx.
Jeff Shankman, Houston, Tx.
Peter & Carrie Shapiro, New York, NY.
Jerry Kaplan, Houston, Tx.
David & Stacey Middleman, Houston, Tx.
Barbera Runge, Houston, Tx.
Filippo & Francesca Castore, Houston, Tx.
Ron Logan, Houston, Tx.
Anthony & Dina Chase, Houston, Tx.
John Kostelac and Sussane York, Houston, Tx.
Eric Littlejohn, Houston, Tx.
Aramco, Saudi Arabia
John Arnold, Houston, Tx.
Robert & Jerianne Cheney, Houston, Tx.
Marilyn Vinson Georges, Houston, Tx.
David & Brenda Gotlieb, The Woodlands, Tx.
Todd Rickets, Toronto, Canada
Bobby Nau, Houston, Tx.

Reviews and Publications

Houston Press, April 2007
New York Times, October 2006
Animal Magazine, New York, NY, Sept. 2005
Village Voice, New York, NY. June 21, 2005
New American Painting, 2005
New York Sun, May 31, 2005
Paper City, Art Notes, Houston, Tx.
Art Gallery, Houston Arts News Letter, Feb. 2005
Houston’s Other, July 2000
Art Lies, Summer 2000