Altamira Fine Art in Jackson Hole, WY is pleased to present an exhibition of new work by Bradford Overton July 21-August 4, 2026.
Please join us for the Artist Reception on Thursday, July 23rd from 5-7pm.
Picture Play
“The optimism and positive emotions of play and creativity are very American traits. As a contemporary artist in the West, whose aim is to embody and express the western spirit, I am pleased to offer this new body of work based on my favorite pre-war, western- themed lead toys. My collection is in the thousands at this point, and these are the toys that have become archetypal, high frequency familiars in my work. Just the way a kid has his favorites I have mine.” -Bradford Overton
Bradford Overton’s latest body of work draws inspiration from a noteworthy line in the one man play, The Fever, by Wallace Shawn:“We love what we have always loved”. The work in Picture Play reminds us that art is joyful- and that our connection to joy is intrinsic. There is a common thread of playfulness throughout Overton’s canvases; a childlike sense of wonder and curiosity that he explores through his art. It’s often this spark of levity and whimsicality that fosters a connection with the viewer and reminds them of that which they have always loved.
“Toys in still life paintings are a staple in what has come to be known as American realism. And in the growing movement of the New West, themes of play and humor are mixed with academic, pop art and illustrative sensibilities to produce a playful and humor laced catalog of artists and art objects.”, Overton says. Using realism to explore an array of thoughtful and imaginative subjects, Overton’s contemporary reinterpretations of pop culture, metaphor, art history and western tropes push the boundaries of everyday portrayals and raise them to fresh and exciting heights.
Bradford Overton is a Salt Lake City, UT based artist with a prolific career, exhibiting artwork in multiple mediums for over two decades. Overton has shown in galleries and museums across the US including the Springville Museum of Fine Art, University of Utah Museum of Art as well as in the corporate collection of the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas and collections of the University of Utah Art Department. Overton’s work has been featured in national publications such as Western Art and Architecture, American Art Collector, Western Art Collector and Southwest Art magazines.
Pre-sales are available. Contact the gallery for details, 307-739-4700/ connect@altamiraart.com.
More images added soon...
