Art reveals many truths which may lie within the artist as well as the viewer. The new show at Colonna Contemporary, The Inner Landscape, celebrates the work of Justin Snow, an artist whose work has evolved over his decades of painting. As he approaches the age of 90, these ten paintings are both deeply personal and explosively interactive. The large scale of the pieces take over the gallery in a riot of color, using textural thick brushstrokes to create a passionate, emotional display.

This show came together, as many do, because of a chance introduction. “I connected with the gallery through my son, who was introduced to Michele via an artist named Matthew Dougherty,” said Snow. Dougherty and the artist met at a bar in Wayne and struck up a conversation, and as Dougherty often did, he threw his support behind the artist. “Matthew passed away suddenly just a couple months ago, but we can thank him for putting this together,” Snow said.
“Matthew was the consummate cheerleader for the local art scene,” said Michele Colonna, owner and curator of Colonna Contemporary. “He had mentioned to me Justin’s work and arranged for me to visit his studio, which I did, and was amazed at what I saw.” Colonna noted that Dougherty’s impact continues. “[I] miss him so much for his passion and unique talent for making things happen,” he said.

Snow graduated from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in the mid-1950s. His son Oliver Snow helped him answer the questions for this article, noting that Snow has dementia. Despite this, he continues to paint daily. “To think of a 90 year old every morning, waking up, putting on their smock, and going to work on a painting is transcendental,” said Colonna.
“I see this show as a strong statement about where my work has gone over the years,” said Snow. “It’s more abstract than ever. I’m enjoying it.” In contrast to older paintings, which transition softly between colors, these bold brushstrokes layer color in vivid contrasts, playing with the position of light and dark. It draws the eye, changing as you move closer or stand back to take in the full scale.

Colonna notes that the paintings dominate the gallery space. “It’s a scene to behold,” he said. “The scale and color story that comes through when taking the show in, it is something to really experience in person. There’s a contemplative nature to the work that speaks to the soul. The expressive brushwork and vibrancy of the color palette sets forth a joyful mood for the viewer.”
Each work measures 48 x 48”, creating a pleasing consistency that further highlights the varied placement of the dominant colors of red, yellow, black, white, and gray. “Though exclusively subjective, I challenge anyone to walk away from any of the works and not have experienced a personal guttural reaction to it,” said Colonna.
“It is a creation that I am expressing personally. It is abstract,” said Snow. He no longer drives, noting that he is focused on his work, painting from his home studio. “It brings me the most joy.” That joy comes through in the works, which shine with bright colors that bring to mind the colors of a beautiful fall landscape just as the leaves achieve their full glory. “It is almost spiritual in nature,” Colonna noted.

Rather than creating an artist statement for the show, Snow wants the works to speak to people as they are experienced. “I hope that visitors have a captivation and understanding of my work after seeing it,” Snow said. “It’s meant to be free-thinking and engaging. It’s not about the words I might use, it’s about the viewer drawing their own observations.”
Where: Colonna Contemporary, Louella Court, Wayne, PA
Opening Reception: December 6, 2024, 5–8 pm
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