Cheryl Finfrock: The Light Beneath Our Skin

August 10, 2024- September 14, 2024

Press Release

Cheryl Finfrock’s exhibition, "The Light Beneath Our Skin," immerses viewers in a world where expressive artistry meets raw honesty and storytelling. Her paintings, brimming with vibrant colors and dynamic hues, depict human and animal figures embodying the essence of community. Through her meticulous attention to the human form and its gestures, Finfrock's work celebrates the optimism inherent in observing and capturing the spirit of life. Her paintings reveal individuals and groups in moments of contemplation or on the brink of significant change, creating a strong sense of connection within her works. With recurring characters that manifest throughout her art, interconnected storylines unfold that are then brought to life through her use of bold colors. Possessing an innate relatability, her works remain grounded through the openness of her subjects. Her captivating paintings draw viewers into intimate spaces that are, at times, surprising or unexpected yet with an air of familiarity, inviting careful observation and introspection. Each piece serves as a snapshot of a larger story, leaving viewers eager to see more.
Press Release

About the Artist

A Trinity University graduate in art and literature, Cheryl Finfrock explores the figure in its awkwardness, anonymity, and universality, creating a narrative steeped in the tradition of Texas storytelling. Exhibits span the US and Europe, including New York City, Dallas, San Francisco, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Berlin, Copenhagen, Montreal, Paris, and Sofia. Her work can be found in numerous public and private collections. Her works have been selected for juried exhibitions across the country and she has also contributed to significant group exhibitions, including the Dallas Art Fair and the AT&T Showcase in Dallas, TX.

ARTIST Statement

show statement

"The Light Beneath Our Skin" is a series of paintings depicting individual and group portraits and stories. Often, the characters are contemplative or on the precipice of a significant change. For example, "It's Behind Us Now" shows a pair of dogs against a gray landscape, referencing a bleaker time that has passed. One of the dogs appears in a portrait over the mantle in "Almost a Seat for All," a visual short story that offers seating for the dog and standing room only for the young woman. The generosity in seating is punctuated by an entire chair reserved for eggs. “A Lingering Light Warmed Their Silence" spotlights the distance between the two characters and manages to bring that distance into familiarity; a shared glow is discovered. Cheryl's unique style in narrative and figurative painting captivates viewers, drawing them into an immersive storytelling experience. Her art not only tells a story but also invites the audience to engage and connect to the subject matter.