This October, Uncanny Art House presents In the Company of Paintings, a solo exhibition by self-taught painter James M. Bond that transforms the gallery into a moody, theatrical environment inspired by the allure and tension of a 1930s after-hours gathering.
About the Artist
James M. Bond captures the quiet tension of in-between moments—the hush before a sentence, the flicker of light on a glass, the subtle gesture that shifts a room’s mood. His paintings are clean yet evocative, influenced by Cubist form and Art Deco drama. Working in a limited palette with flat, sculptural shapes, Bond constructs atmospheres as much as images. Each piece is paired with a noir-style caption, a narrative cue that prompts interpretation without dictating it. Bond’s work invites you to look twice, then fill in the rest.
Step Into the Scene
In this immersive installation, the gallery becomes more than a space, it becomes the set. The premise is simple: the gallery is the room, the paintings are the guests, and so are you. Through a series of atmospheric oil paintings and curated site-specific elements, Bond invites you to enter a space where narrative and environment merge. Motifs such as cocktails mid-pour, cigarette smoke caught in motion, and eyes that hold a knowing gaze immerse viewers in a quiet, cinematic drama. Here, power, perception, and social choreography unfold with subtle detail and restrained elegance.
The experience is less about resolution and more about accumulation. As visitors move through the gallery, they are invited to fill in the silences, imagine what just happened—or what might—and participate in a story that blurs the line between viewer and viewed.
Collaborating Artists
This exhibition is not a solo effort in practice. Bond is joined by:
Zachary Barney, Director of Exhibition Design and Environment Curation
Together, they’ve constructed a multisensory world where the artwork extends into the corners of the room, and conversations seem to linger long after you pass through.
Special Events
📅 Private Preview Night
October 9 at 6PM (Invite Only)
A private cocktail evening for sponsors, collectors, and press. RSVP required.
📅 Public Opening
October 10 from 6PM to 9PM
Held during Norman’s Second Friday Art Walk. Free and open to the public.
📅 Q&A and Artist Talk
October 18 from 5PM to 6PM
A conversation with Bond and collaborators about the exhibition’s themes and process.
📅 Uncanny Art Hang
October 19 from 6PM to 9PM
A community coworking night for creatives of all backgrounds.
📅 Fourth Friday Film Night: Nosferatu (1922)
October 24 from 6PM to 8PM
A vintage screening aligned with the show’s noir atmosphere. Free and open to all.
📅 Halloween Jazz Masquerade
October 25 | Doors at 7PM, Show from 8PM to 10PM
$5 Presale Tickets, $10 at the Door
A ticketed costume party featuring live jazz by Butter and the Genre, curated cocktails, and photo booth experience. Costumes encouraged.
About Uncanny Art House
Uncanny Art House is an independent, artist-run gallery and creative space dedicated to fostering collaboration, supporting local artists, and promoting the visual arts. Located in the heart of Norman, Oklahoma, Uncanny Art House is a hub for creativity, community, and innovation.
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