"In my work I offer paintings of simple, natural objects in sharp detail. All the paintings are executed in oils on fine canvas. They are painted in a 'larger than life' scale. This presentation arrests the viewer's attention, and in doing so takes his or her level of awareness to a higher level. In this state of increased sensitivity, there is a keen appreciation of the natural world and the beauty to be found therein."
Tormey, a native New Yorker, was born there in 1938, and continues to call New York home. Educated at the Pratt Institute and Columbia University, he has had exhibitions in literally dozens of galleries throughout the United States and in Europe and Japan. He is also in many museums and permanent collections, including The Metropolitan Club - Chicago, Harry and David Co. - Oregon, General Mills Corp. - MN, Ansor Corp. - Spain, Weightwatchers International, and The Superior Court Art Trust - Washington, D.C. In the 1960's, among other things, Mr. Tormey did all the photography for New York's Museum of Modern Art. Select his portrait above to go directly to his paintings.
Tormey paints still-lives, but that is like saying that Bill Gates is in the software business. Tormey's works combine traditional subject matter - fruits and vegetables - with a contemporary interpretation of scale, context, and intent, resulting in lush and startling images. At first glance, they seem to belong in the school of "realism;" it takes no more than another glance to understand that they far transcend realism and border on idealism, and on 'isms that we don't yet have words for.
In the words of a prominent art critic, "through isolation of the motif and dramatic shifts of scale he makes them appear not only monumental but almost heroic. The scale shifts allow Tormey to scrutinize his subjects as a portraitist might - to make surface textures preternaturally velvety, and to caress them with reflected light. Light, both reflected and transmitted, is an important element in Tormey's work..."*
We at The Electric Gallery obviously are impressed by Mr. Tormey's mastery of his technique and his subject matter. We believe his paintings will be viewed by future generations as masterworks of a unique type. Please browse through all five rooms of his paintings, and tell us what you think.
*/ Art critic Edward Sozanski, the Philadelphia Inquirer, commenting on Tormey's one man show in Philadelphia in November, 1990.
Click on the portrait of the artist above to go directly to his paintings. Or, you can take a walking tour through the Perspectives Wing, or you can take a shortcut to go directly to any artist in the gallery. These paintings are available for purchase from The Electric Gallery. We'd also appreciate your giving us your comments on our presentation.
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