Grovewood Gallery in Asheville presents Southern on High, a colorful, energetic body of work by North Carolina-based folk artist Greg Krolick.
Southern on High is an exhibition that celebrates the heroes of old-time southern music as well as the glory and beauty of the Southern Appalachians. An opening reception will take place on Saturday, August 13th from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, where viewers can meet the artist and enjoy live music and local craft beer. Free and open to the public. This show will remain on view through September 18, 2016.
Greg Krolick, known in some circles as Buffalo Hoynas Junior, was born in 1957 in Ohio. Shortly after, his family relocated to northwestern Washington where Greg began to cultivate his lifelong love of making art and music. He began his life as an artist secretly painting rowdy encounters between cowboys, spacemen, and the bra models from his mother's Family Circle magazines.
As a young adult, Greg described himself as a “saddle tramp” and worked as a sheepherder in Hells Canyon, Oregon. Between mending fences and herding cattle, he spent every spare minute painting, playing fiddle tunes, making furniture and telling tales. His love of old-time southern music, along with his fascination with the individuals who made it, finally led him down South where he found his true spirit.
For many years now, Greg has made his home in the mountains of Western North Carolina, deep in a holler out in Little Pine, immersing himself in nature, early country music and the satisfaction of being a “reclusive hillbilly.”
Southern on High is Greg’s interpretation of “Hillbilly Heaven the glory and beauty of the Southern Appalachians.” Greg says, “My paintings are deeply inspired by the music and beautiful, otherworldliness of these southern mountains. Visions of early rural string bands and mythical mountain creatures along with Delta blues, Cajun and honky tonk legends all make their home in my many layered creations. I make my art using mostly Masonite, old wood, roofing tin and carved sticks. Painting in vibrant, primary colors, I create a shadowbox Watch for snakes!"
Southern on High is curated by LouAnne Jordan, Events & Merchandising Coordinator for Grovewood Gallery.