The Dubuque Museum of Art presented the paintings of Cedar Rapids, Iowa artist Thomas C. Jackson in the Kris Mozena McNamer Gallery. With a graphic artist’s technical aptitude, Jackson creates absorbing images of American life using imagery that we may see everyday but take for granted or are only aware of subconsciously. Jackson uses his commercial background to make insightful statements about American pastimes and popular culture: “All of the paintings reflect society’s desire for more — more summer fun, visual stimulation, crowds, excitement, food, travel, money, music, dancing. They may be interested in buying one more Christmas present, showing off the latest fashion, traveling to the next hot spot, enjoying one more big band dance, winning a prize, eating comfort food, or exuding the most Christmas spirit.”
Thomas C. Jackson received a BA from Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois in 1972 and an MFA from the University of Notre Dame in 1974. Prior to becoming a full-time artist in 2000, Jackson was General Manager and Vice President for Client Development at Stamats Communications, Inc. in Cedar Rapids. His work is represented at Karolyn Sherwood Gallery in Des Moines, Iowa.