Wayne Paige

“Born and raised in Chicago and living in DC since graduate school, my career as an artist extends back to the early 1970’s and includes 26 solo exhibitions, numerous gallery and museum exhibitions (The Corcoran Art Gallery, The Anderson Gallery, The Katzen Arts Center).  Additional noteworthy exhibitions and awards include the “Washington Art Matters ll: 1940s - 1980s” exhibition at the American University Museum at the Katzen Center, First Prize in The Fairfax Art Council awards, First Prize in The George Washington University Alumni Competition, and a Special Recognition award from The Virginia Commission of the Arts.  Collectors include American University, The George Washington University, Marymount University, George Mason University, the Elisabeth French Collection, the Gudelsky Collection, Radio One and Prudential.  I studied at The University of Illinois (BFA Painting), The George Washington University (MFA Painting), and The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (TICA). Currently, I am employed as an adjunct professor teaching Drawing at Laurel Ridge Community College in Warrenton, Virginia and reside in Washington, DC.

I created drawings and paintings that feature mythical landscapes of mountains, waterways, and woodlands inhabited by expressive silhouette-like figures and animals. Within, they pulsate with energy and inner light in a sun-drenched pointillistic setting. They can be seen flying, floating, hiding, and fleeing from an undetermined outcome providing a visual bridge to a world of conflict, dreams, humor. This is all done by imagining the animal’s point of view. Components of mystery, spirituality, and intrigue are added for emphasis - with it all taking place in a post-bucolic environment. By tapping into these new resources, my narrative expanded and yet remained consistent with the focus of my previous work which is creating art that embraces the surrealistic nature of the times.”