Now on view at Gallery 1261 and available to explore online, Tight² revisits the extraordinary terrain of high-definition realism in a follow-up to the landmark 2023 exhibition curated by Anthony Waichulis.

Representational painters have long had their efforts categorized along a spectrum of definition and abstraction. On one end of that spectrum, often described as loose, we find artwork with bold gesture and masterful brevity. On the other end, often described as tight, are works defined by complexity, clarity, and precision. Virtuosity can be found throughout this spectrum, in artists who reduce a subject to ten brushstrokes, in those who render it with a thousand, and in those who search for a balance between the two.

Tight² continues the celebration of painters who define the high-definition end of representational painting. The artists featured in this exhibition produce work that rewards careful attention and offers a sense of awe through their technical command and visual intent. From surface realism to layered emotional depth, the exhibition brings together compelling subjects and astonishing execution.

All works are available to view and purchase both in the gallery and online.

Curator Statement

As the curator of Tight², I am elated to see a remarkable expansion of diversity in this year’s showcase—diversity not just in subject matter and voice, but in the approaches, intentions, and executions that define what “tight” representation can be.Too often, the label “tight” is equated solely with colloquial notions of photorealism or hyperrealism. But this end of the spectrum encompasses much more than that. It includes artists who navigate many modes of high definition representation in the service of narrative, emotion, illusion, symbolism, and even play—rendering with clarity, yes, but also with deeply personal frameworks and unique stylizations that transcend mimetic fidelity alone.I sincerely hope this year’s exhibition reflects and celebrates that diversity—illustrating just how vast, vibrant, and conceptually rich this high-definition realm of representation truly is.-Anthony Waichulis

Participating Artists

Gregory Block, Scott Fraser, Greg Gandy, Serge Marshennikov, Megan Elizabeth Read, Fred Wessel, Tony Curanaj, Alexander Chistov, Heather Neill, Jason Walker, Anthony Waichulis, Julie Beck, Helen Crispino, Rodney O'Dell Davis, Francisco Collado, Ruddy Taveras, Duffy Sheridan, Stanley Rayfield, Russell Harris, Jay Davenport, Michael P. Carson, Patrick Kramer, Ardith Starostka, Carlos Bruscianelli, Daniel Sprick, Robert Stark

📅 Exhibition Dates: October 10 – November 1, 2025
🎉 Opening Reception: Friday, October 10, 6–8 PM
📍 Venue: Gallery 1261, 1261 Delaware St, Denver, CO 80204

Plan Your Visit: Parking and Directions to Gallery 1261