NOT QUITE OUT OF THE WOODS

Wayne Paige

Curated by Iza Thomas and Robert Cwiok

October 1st - October 25th, 2025

Since 1997, I’ve often retreated to a black and white graphic world of duality, sprinkled with social commentary and Dreamscape imagery, akin to a life inside an inkwell. However, recent events, including the pandemic and economic and social upheaval, nearly overwhelmed me, causing me to swim frantically within the well. To cope with this sensory overload and apply it to my art, I decided it was time to take a step back, delve deeper, and draw more inspiration from these events, along with observations from nature. This led to a series of drawings, in which I hope to capture the ramifications.

Until recently, my ink drawings depicted mountains, waterways, and woodlands populated by bipedal life forms engaged in unforeseen events. Gradually, these woodland creatures and other entities have taken over the landscape, introducing spirits, otherworldly beings, and perceived conspiracies. These new elements have broadened the narrative, keeping it aligned with my focus on creating art inspired by conflict, dreams, and humor.