Julie Zener Gallery

My work is a conversation about our relation to self, others, object, and stories of our life and time here.

In my exhibition titled “Objects As”, the intent of this series was to represent people in my life that was impossible to capture via portraiture. With varying degrees of directness, many of the works do indeed reference individuals. However, as the series progressed the objects started to stand for more than individuals.

It quickly became clear the sentiments were often too obscure or ephemeral to be represented by a single person. I found myself trying to constrain ideas to fit a human shaped mold or inventing a person to fit the idea of the object. Instead of contriving a scaled model of the show or limiting the range of expression available, I let the the objects stand on their own as thematic levers and communicate without the added human element.

From stretching canvas to playing records in the studio, the objects loosely echo elements of my creative practice. I have a distinct fondness for classic, analog machines, with working parts that interact in the physical world. I love the compelling tension in a thing both used and care worn yet sturdy and enduring. As they are demoted to things of memory, these relics in a small way pay homage to the fleeting and transitory nature of the expression I am interested in communicating.

My work is an excavation of human experience. The pieces are intended to evoke ideas of closeness, intimacy, vulnerability, and integrity. Often my relationship with the models shines through the medium inviting the viewer to a space of disarming familiarity, comfort, and trust.

I have been exploring the addition of collage and abstraction elements to my oil paintings, not only as compositional structure pieces, but also as a subtle reference to subject matter. Focusing on gesture in conversation with representation, I open a door for the viewer to have a continuously refreshing and compelling interaction with the piece.

Born and raised in Colorado, Tucker Eason moved to California to receive his BFA from Occidental College and the Art Center College of Design. With Graphite and Charcoal as his primary medium in undergrad, Eason worked in mural sized portraiture and only after graduation did he begin to experiment with oil.  Eason explores themes of abstraction, scale, and human experience through his varied portraiture work.