Jeffrey Tover, an award-winning abstract painter based in Benicia, California, is currently making waves in the local art scene with his latest endeavors. Known for his vibrant and emotive abstract works, Tover is now venturing into a new artistic direction that embraces minimalism. This shift reflects his ongoing evolution as an artist and his desire to explore the subtleties of color and form.
Tover is currently showcasing a solo exhibit at a small gallery in Benicia, where visitors can experience his latest creations firsthand. This exhibition not only highlights his established style but also serves as a platform for his new minimalist works, which feature muted earth tones complemented by subtle pops of color. This fresh approach invites viewers to engage with the art on a deeper level, encouraging a dialogue about the emotional resonance of simplicity.
In addition to his solo exhibit, Tover is actively curating several themed exhibitions that feature the work of local artists. These curated shows aim to foster community engagement and celebrate the diverse talents within the Northern California art scene. By bringing together various artistic voices, Tover is not only enriching his own practice but also contributing to the cultural fabric of his community.
With a rich background in abstract expressionism and a passion for creating connections through art, Jeffrey Tover continues to inspire both collectors and fellow artists alike. His latest projects reflect a thoughtful exploration of minimalism while maintaining the emotional depth that has characterized his work over the past decade. As he embarks on this new chapter, Tover remains committed to his belief that art is a powerful medium for understanding and connection.
Reflecting on his artistic journey, Tover shares, “I have been a long-time fan of black and white photography and cinema. Its ‘rawness’ is what appeals to me. It lacks distractive context or diverts from the subject at hand. You focus on what is there in its most primitive form. To me, the messaging becomes amplified. Several years ago, I was creating abstract works that were more tranquil in their movement. These works created quieter interpretations much like how landscape paintings react with the viewer. Most of those works utilized blues and grays with pops of orange or red to create some tension in the space but not overwhelm it. Color often dictates the mood of a painting and to me, is more suggestive and, therefore, creates its own dialogue. In this new body of work, I want to create friction between the values of the grays, blacks, and browns and the space they occupy to dictate the message from within and to create a deeper connection with the viewer. The use of color will be minimal… only to lure the viewer in.”
As a curator of themed exhibitions featuring local artists, Tover adds, “In this moment, most of the art world that surrounds me seems to be in flux. Artists, galleries, art dealers, all seem to be struggling to find the next movement or conquest. The energy needed to market and get your work in front of art collectors can be daunting at times, particularly when you’re doing most of that work yourself. Artists, by nature of their work, are introverts as our working environment is lonely and obscure. Interactions with others occur less often than ‘working’ folks and we have a tendency to insulate our frustrations with the creative process and the business of selling art.
“When I started painting again years ago, I was blessed to have an art community that had a rich history and an abundance of great talent. As time has passed, there have been changes in that group through relocation or death and most recently, the effects of the pandemic. In the last couple of years, I have found there is more of a need for local artists to support one another in their communities. I began curating for a gallery space about 8 years ago and wanted to give underserved artists an opportunity to show their work and support their visions. But I wanted to take that to the next level. In creating the exhibitions in the gallery space, I feel a ‘theme’ tells a story and provides the artist to exhibit their interpretation of a particular subject. To me, it is so much more than just the images that are presented when you see a show. There is a driving force, an idea, that is creating that image. The ‘theme’ ties these ideas together and allows the viewer to gain a deeper meaning to what they are witnessing. This also gives the artist some pathway to finding their ‘voice,’ which is so important in an artist’s development. Through these exhibitions, I give the outside community an opportunity to see the work of their neighbors and friends and develop a deeper appreciation of being able to live in a community that supports the arts and their creators.”
Photo credits: The photographs are from the artist’s archive.