Conceptual Realism
I use the term Conceptual Realism to refer to paintings that attempt to convey ideas through visual means. Specifically, the use of illusions of three-dimensional reality to convey intellectual content. I won’t dilate on the meaning of the word “reality”.
At RISD I was trained to disdain “narrative” painting. Telling a story was beneath contempt. At that time, Pop Art had recently overturned Abstract Expressionism, which meant the ascendancy of Duchamp. This led to Conceptual Art and de-skilling.
In my opinion, Conceptual Art is mostly concept and not much art. In Conceptual Realism I attempt to redraw that balance. I respect craftsmanship and enjoy displays of traditional painterly skill. So, in combining “Realism” with “Concepts” I have created Conceptual Realism.