Thin Edge of a Wedge

The paintings in Thin Edge of a Wedge conceptualize abstraction as a stage and realism as a character.

With artists Nick Rooney (Continuing Education Instructor and BFA ‘12, Painting), John Hall, Chris Cran (Dip '79, Painting) and Mark Dicey (Dip '83, Painting).

Nick Rooney’s studio practice investigates painting as a visual language capable of producing seemingly contradictory outcomes: the convincing illusion of realism and the stark simplicity of geometric abstraction. Through hard-edge geometric minimalism, Nick constructs environments that embody transition, where tension, pressure, weight, and the search for balance emerge.

Employing classical realist techniques, Nick renders his subjects with precision, while deliberately removing them from traditional contexts. His compositions draw inspiration from the Dutch Golden Age, particularly the work of Pieter Claesz, who positioned objects and fruit precariously over edges to evoke a sense of delicate balance and impending collapse.

The paintings in Thin Edge of a Wedge conceptualize abstraction as a stage and realism as a character. The geometric forms engage in dialogue with the objects, serving as a framework to examine the historical lineage of still-life painting, the implications of climate change, wealth disparity, and the increasing strain on global food resources. In keeping with the traditions of still life, Nick Rooney invites viewers to critically examine how meaning is ascribed to objects in the world around them.