Marrow Gallery is pleased to present Pictures Are Stories, a two person exhibition featuring the work of Will Maxen and Jack Tozzi. Both recent graduates, Maxen with an MFA from UC Davis and Tozzi, with a BFA from Kent State. Both artists focus on the narrative element of their work, creating dreamlike paintings where the imagery embraces both memory and whimsy. These snippets of scenes allow the viewer to imagine the stories they tell; Maxen’s personal and intimate capturing of both mundane and seminal moments from his life, and Tozzi’s fantastical look at society and its undercurrents.

Tozzi creates fictionalized worlds that are meant to parallel what we know to be true. His improbable scenes highlight the human condition and society in general. The cartoonish way he represents humanity and the psychology of belonging begs for self examination and an understanding of the collective consciousness. Born in Cleveland, OH in 1998, Tozzi currently resides in Columbus, OH. He has been in several group shows, this being his first outside of his home state. He holds a BFA from Kent State University.

Maxen is taking this opportunity to revisit his time in California, the sense of the landscape and the light that left a strong impression on him. His time at UC Davis was transformative and the experience of being in Davis left an indelible mark on his work. These personal and intimate moments are another catalog of the artist’s life, continuing the considered way his work has represented family and moments that left an impression. Raised in Waterbury, CT, Maxen holds a BA from Central Connecticut State University and an MFA from UC Davis. He has shown at Faith McKinney Gallery, Sacramento, CA, Residency Art Gallery, LA, CA, Chili Art Projects, London, UK, The Manetti Shrem Museum, Davis, CA, Museum of Northern California Art, Chico, CA. He is currently in residence at Silver Art Projects in NYC and recently opened his first solo exhibition in New York with UTA.