Wayne Paige

My sources of inspiration have taken many paths over the years. I grew up in Chicago above my grandmother’s tavern and developed a childhood fascination with 1950’s sci-fi comics, movie posters, carnivals and a local amusement park. A dance hall was located directly across the street and I found much joy watching couples entering and exiting during the night. Nearby, nature presented itself in the form of a three-story waterfall commercial park. A creation of the Olson Rug Company, the faux nature setting also included holiday lights and lawn ornament animals. Much later, I became intrigued with and influenced by the art of Edvard Munch, Joseph Cornell, M.C Escher and the work of the Chicago Imagist aka “The Hairy Who”. The foundation was laid and since then, I have been weaving conflict, dreams and humor along with my personal perceptions of contemporary life into my artwork.
Portrayed within each black and white work is a mythical landscape of mountains, waterways and woodlands populated by a tribe of innocent featureless beings. The inhabitants are often engaged, observing and participating in a variety of everyday activities. In my most recent series and as events unfold and the series evolves, the tribe’s future is at risk...

The University of Illinois, BFA (Painting), 1968, The George Washington University, MFA (Painting), 1971.

With twenty-five solo exhibitions to his credit, Wayne Paige has exhibited extensively both locally and nationally (The Corcoran Art Gallery, The Anderson Gallery, The Katzen Arts Center...). Publications as Art in America and the Washington Post have recognized Wayne’s art over time and his work is included in numerous public and private collections. Recently Wayne received recognition in having one of his works included in the "Washington Art Matters ll: 1940s - 1980s” exhibition at the American University Museum at the Katzen Center. The artist also received several awards including First Prize in The Fairfax Art Council awards, First Prize in The George Washington University Alumni Competition and a Special Recognition award from The Virginia Commission of the Arts.