Last Time in the Basement

C.R.E.A.M (Cash-Rules-Everything-Around-Me) by Gary Gee

Glaze, Underglaze Chalk, White & Yellow Gold Luster, Ink on Hand-Cast Stoneware, with Smoked Cigar

10 x 22 x 11

Last Time In the Basement features Gary Gee’s ceramics and drawings in Hank & Dolly’s Gallery. 

In this body of work, Gee explores the possibilities of what a basement could symbolize, both as a space and metaphorically. “When was the last time you went in your basement?” Gee asks. “Sometimes you forget it’s there–It’s hidden, it's the underworld. A lot of people have basements and their stories have basements. Is it a place where you hide stuff? Where your treasures are? It’s mystery.”
Gee draws inspiration from multiple disciplines, such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and music. Basements remind Gee of recording studios and he considers the role these spaces play in music production: “You think of jam sessions. For recording, There’s a lot of funky stuff that came from the basement. Or you know, as a kid, people would say, ‘Go practice in the basement!’”

Buggin (Stage 3)

Aerosol, Faux Fur, Stickers, LED Lights on Upcycled Kids Car

Gee examines the basement as a metaphorical and literal place that can be overlooked: “A lot of stuff that goes on in the basement. It’s a small space and it's the lower level. Most people don’t go to the lower level, or forget about the lower level. Once people see that you’ve ascended to a certain spot you have to remember that I started from the bottom and now we're here.” 

Gee’s creative process is rooted in the subconscious. His work includes ceramic figures, boxcars, and cityscape drawings. Gee wonders: “What’s hiding in the basement? What did you forget about in the basement? It ties into the basement of my mind– the deep dark corners. Sometimes they have names or ideas when I start. Sometimes they’re based on people, random thoughts, songs, or just the organic shapes that I add layers and take some off and see where it goes.”

Bowling Alley by Gary Gee

Hand-cast Stoneware, Glaze, Gold Luster, White Gold Luster, Purple Luster Mother of Pearl, Pastel, Ink, Acrylic

8 x 7.25 x 5

The show can be viewed anytime during the month of November during Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The works can additionally be viewed and purchased on our online gallery through December.