Dave Kinsey 'Ostentatious Oasis' new paintings dealing with renaissance sculpture & the human condition

"Ostentatious Oasis" – A New Exhibition by Dave Kinsey

Confronts Humanity’s Delusions of Permanence.

Oolong Gallery is pleased to present Ostentatious Oasis, a solo exhibition by San Diego based painter Dave Kinsey, opening March 15th and running through April 15th. In his first solo exhibition in four years, this body of work—a continuation of Kinsey’s ongoing Existential Synthesis series—confronts humanity’s precarious relationship with nature and the self-imposed isolation that blinds us to its realities.

For this exhibition, Kinsey employs disjointed marble figures as metaphors for human arrogance— symbolizing illusions of purity and permanence that fracture under the weight of our own actions. White marble, historically tied to wealth and power, becomes a symbol of hubris, crumbling in contrast to the consequences of human advancement: wars that displace, disasters that devastate, and relentless exploitation that erodes the natural world.

How do we as humans coexist or even adapt within these uncanny and divergent spaces? What will become of our modern way of living that seems at odds with the natural rhythm of our planet?" the artist asks.

Set within surreal, urbane environments, the figures reflect humanity’s disconnection from nature, insulated within artificial comforts that distort our perception of reality. Through deep earth tones and fluid, dreamlike compositions, Kinsey invites viewers to confront these fragile constructs and reimagine humanity’s role—not as masters of the Earth, but as beings inextricably bound to it.

Influenced by a pivotal trip to Florence in 2022, Kinsey draws upon the grandeur of Renaissance sculpture while subverting its ideals through a surrealist lens. This synthesis of historical reverence and contemporary existential inquiry defines Ostentatious Oasis, bridging past and present in an urgent reflection on civilization’s fragility.

Opening reception will be held on March 15th from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., where the artist will be in attendance.

For press inquiries, high-resolution images, or interview requests, please contact Oolong Gallery at info@oolongalery.com

Exhibition Details:

Title: Ostentatious Oasis

Artist: Dave Kinsey

Venue: Oolong Gallery 6030 La Flecha, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067

Dates: March 15th - April 15th, 2025

Visit: https://oolongallery.com/

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