Artist Casey Gray transforms the mundane into the distinctive

Casey Gray is a San Franciscan artist with the ability to reform the most mundane of objects into distinctive artworks.

The painted pieces are executed with fine detail and abundant skill, Casey’s work is a vivid and hyperreal take on the world. This is most evident in the artist’s recent series in which the artist has perfected his use of aerosol paints, pairing unlikely objects so that “narratives can be told, identities can be formed and truths can be revealed.”

Using spray paint to create pieces of fine art is a rare treat, combining two mediums that often cause a discussion between those interested in the arts or not. Yet Casey insists that, “Aerosol is not a medium, it’s an application technique.” Over his 10 years as a practising artist Casey has consistently used Montana Gold Spray, an aerosol paint, particularly designed for fine art practices. The artist’s preference of spray paint is due to it’s capability to appear two dimensional, “I originally became interested in spray paint for it’s ability to mimic the digital platform, which is inherently flat.”

In terms of content Casey uses the digital platform he imitates for resourceful inspiration, falling into a google image bottomless pit whilst researching. Although once he does discover a new object he doesn’t jump on it immediately, “a certain image might sit in a folder on my desktop for months before I figure out how to use it.”

The end result is a selection of artworks based on subject matter built from their “formal qualities as well as associations to past experience, memory and visions for the future.” The final paintings have an underlying humour in their content but also their titles, from Bowl of Fruit with Crab on it’s Back to Hugs & Kisses & Argyle Sock.