Marc Ross American, b. 1952
Overview
"Marc Ross’ work gives us a glimpse of another place, maybe a dream or a far-off reality. Drawing the viewer in with his quiet and soothing oceans of blue and green, suddenly shapes appear just out of focus, sometimes menacing, other times warm and comforting. These works are richly layered, cleverly composed and subtle in every way.”
- Darren Baker
Marc Ross’s paintings embody a meticulous process where layers of translucent acrylics, pastels, and pencils are methodically built up and then sanded to reveal hidden patterns, creating a phosphorescent effect that shifts with the viewer's perspective. His work, influenced by the atmospheric abstractions of Jules Olitski and the emotive power of Mark Rothko, seeks to evoke a serene, meditative response. Ross’s dedication to color and texture stems from a desire to counter the constant technological chatter of modern society, offering a space for quiet contemplation. His canvases, devoid of preliminary sketches, rely solely on his vision of the finished work, blending spontaneity with precision to produce artworks that are both technically sophisticated and emotionally resonant.
Works
Biography
Marc Ross (b. 1952, Cleveland, OH) received his BFA from Ohio University, attended graduate school at the University of Chicago, and completed his MFA in painting at Kent State University. His work has been exhibited at the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Klutznick National Jewish Museum, Washington, D.C., and the Southern Ohio Museum. Ross has also exhibited in various galleries in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Cleveland, Columbus, and Pittsburgh. He has held solo exhibitions at the Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH, and the Columbus Cultural Arts Center, Columbus, OH. Ross lives and works in Ohio.
Exhibitions
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The Quiet After
Marc Ross 27 Feb - 28 Mar 2026Marc Ross’s The Quiet After at Johnson Lowe Gallery features luminous layered paintings in acrylic and colored pencil exploring color, light, and perception.Read more -
Invisible Forces
Aineki Traverso, Amy Pleasant, Craig Drennen, Deborah Dancy, Fahamu Pecou, Ilidio Candja Candja, Jiha Moon, Jimmy O’Neal, Judy Pfaff, Kole Nichols, Krista Clark, Leia Genis, Marc Ross, Masud Olufani, Pamela Longobardi, Paula Henderson, Pete Schulte, Rasha 26 Jul - 14 Sep 2024Invisible Forces is a group exhibition at Johnson Lowe Gallery featuring works on paper exploring perception, identity, and unseen cultural currents.Read more
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