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.

From a sociopolitical perspective, the work could read as a dialogue between class, distinction and perhaps declivity. The automobile ushered in the riches of industrial revolution as well as the ramifications of global warming. It has played a major role in the energy crisis, green house effect and hence, war. Both powerful and provoking, one gazes at these paintings as objects of desire, longing to hold the legend and lore so wonderfully woven into our fabric of modern life. These paintings are so beautiful that we quickly lose sight of the car's negative impact upon the individual and society.

Education
1992 University of Houston, Houston, TX, B.A. Fine Art

Solo Shows
2007
“Somnambulist” New Gallery, Houston, Tx.

2006
“Wheels”, Lyons Wier Ortt Gallery, New York, NY

2005
“Muscle Cars”, Lyons Weir Gallery, New York, NY
“American Muscle”, New Gallery, Houston TX

2003
“Flight”, New Gallery, Houston, TX

2002
“Self Portrait”, New Gallery, Houston, TX

2001
New Gallery, Houston, TX

1998
Artist’s Loft, Galveston, TX



Group Shows
2007
Bridge Art Fair, Art Murmur Gallery, Miami, Fl.
Lyons Wier Ortt, NYC
“Sexy Beasts” Art Murmur Gallery, Los Angelas, Ca.

2005
“Auto Show,”The Arts Center of the Central Region,Troy, NY
Florence Bienalle, Florence, Italy
Art LA, Santa Monica Civic Center, Los Angelas, CA.
Assistance league, Houston, TX.

2004
Scope Miami, Miami, FL.

2003
“Celebration of Contemporary Art,” The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center, The Woodlands, TX

2002
Paul Rodgers Gallery, New York, NY
Stefan Stux Gallery, New York, NY
Hooks Epstien Gallery Houston, TX

2001
Skott Forman Gallery, Boca Raton, FL
Assistance League, Houston, TX
Visual Arts Alliance, Houston, Tx
National Art Services, Houston, TX
“Sultry,” Houston Community College, Houston, TX

2000
New Gallery, Portrait Show, Houston, TX

1999
New Gallery, Introductions, Houston, TX
Transco Tower Gallery, Houston, TX
HSPVA Alumni Exhibition, Houston, TX
Aragon/Mihalic Gallery, Taos, NM
Galleria Encantada, Taos, NM
Mixed Emotions Gallery, Houston, TX

1998
Artist’s Loft, Galveston, TX
Perna Gallery, Taos, NM
Galveston Arts Festival, Galveston, TX

1990
Lawndale Performance and Art Center, Houston, TX

1987
Lynn Goode Gallery, Houston, TX

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